October 8, 2008 (Wednesday)

BEYOND PRISON WALLS

For His merciful kindness is great towards us. And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. – Psalm 117: 2

There have been many stories about convicts who lived a life of debauchery and sin outside the prison walls, but after sometime of being behind bars and serving their sentence, they slowly notice God’s presence, embrace His teachings and live a new life — whether inside the prison walls, or outside.

Many transformations have occurred while being with the lowest of the pit, mixing with the scums of the earths. It seems that the environment they have been transported in gives them a better view of God and His magnificence.

Butch Belgica, Eddie Mesa, Vincent Crisologo — these are men who defied reason, were wild and wanton, who were incarcerated for their misdeeds. But when they were released, they began to preach about God and His goodness.

There are others who are still there, languishing, serving for life, but, now mouthing a different language, spreading and sharing God’s love to anyone who would listen. The walls and bars were not a hindrance to their mission, as they praised God for His mercy and kindness. Chelle Crisanto

REFLECTION:
Never under- estimate the mercy of God.

Lord, thank You for Your mercy that endures forever!

COMPANION

1st READING

What Paul did in the 14 years Paul mentions here are difficult to account for. It seems quite clear that there was a break between the time of his conversion and his ministry as we read from his letters and the Acts of the Apostles. What did he do? I do not know. Perhaps it was a time of formation, study, and reflection. All we know is that when he arrived on the scene, everyone knew he was back.

Galatians 1: 1-2, 7-14
1 Brothers and sisters: After fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 I went up in accord with a revelation, and I presented to them the gospel that I preach to the Gentiles — but privately to those of repute — so that I might not be running, or have run, in vain. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter to the circumcised, 8 for the one who worked in Peter for an apostolate to the circumcised worked also in me for the Gentiles, 9 and when they recognized the grace bestowed upon me, James and Kephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas their right hands in partnership, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, we were to be mindful of the poor, which is the very thing I was eager to do. 11 And when Kephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong. 12 For, until some people came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to draw back and separated himself, because he was afraid of the circumcised. 13 And the rest of the Jews [also] acted hypocritically along with him, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not on the right road in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Kephas in front of all, “If you, though a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

P S A L M

Psalm 117: 1bc, 2
R: Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever. (R)


G O S P E L

Prayer is an essential part of any disciple’s life. Without prayer, we are fodder to the lies of the enemy. Why? Prayer is our daily link with Jesus. Prayer is the lifeblood in our spiritual veins. Prayer is the way we are led in the paths of truth and righteousness. Prayer is the way we receive the love that makes us holy. And I could keep on going here for the next few pages!

Luke 11: 1-4
1 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread 4 and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

my reflections
think: Prayer is the lifeblood in our spiritual veins.

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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 1-4

SABBATH


NO ONE IS ABOVE CORRECTION

Paul tells us of a time when he felt it was necessary to challenge Peter on his preference to eat only with the Jewish converts to Christianity, and neglect to fellowship with Gentile converts. There were certain pressures placed upon Peter to do this, but this does not justify his actions. Paul was right to correct the leader of the Christian Church. In the 2000 year history of the Church, there have been both men and women who have rightly challenged the actions of one particular Pope. Are you surprised at this? Maybe you think a Pope is beyond being challenged in such a manner? Well, if the Pope was a truly holy man, then I bet he welcomed the challenge and was grateful for it.

The same ought to be true for all of us. If we are challenged about a particular practice in our lives, particularly if it is sinful or bordering on sin, we ought to be grateful to the person who challenges us as they may be instrumental in saving us from serious consequences. None of us is beyond challenging or falling into serious sin. It is part of our love towards each other to challenge a brother or sister in danger of sin and in turn receive such a challenge with gratitude when it comes to us personally.

The Holy Spirit will be the main avenue of challenge for us, but God sometimes uses other people, particularly those who are close to us. The stronger our relationship with a person, the more likely we are to be an instrument of challenge for them as we have established a relationship upon which a challenge can be made without destroying the relationship. It is not easy to confront a friend about a fault in his life, but true love will embrace such difficult situations with steadfastness knowing that it is truly a demand of love upon us. Jesus never lost an opportunity to proclaim the truth to an individual in error. Let us pray that we will have the grace to do so when called upon by the Holy Spirit and the demands of love to do so.Fr. Steve Tynan

Reflection Question:
Am I reluctant to challenge a friend who has fallen into sin? Why is this the case?

Holy Spirit, help me to embrace every aspect of the demands of love in my relationships with others. Help me to see that true love embraces fully even those things that are difficult.

St. Pelagia, virgin and martyr, pray for us.

October 7, 2008 (Tuesday)

Memorial Our Lady of the Rosary

MINI-MOM

But the Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you worry and are troubled about many things.” – Luke 10:41

I must confess I am every inch like Mommy, who is much like Martha.

Mommy was an extraordinary woman and truly admirable. She tirelessly walked the extra mile for everyone. Even as she overextended herself for others, abala was never in her vocabulary. She had a delightful heart in serving people to make them feel special and loved.

Being the only daughter with three brothers, she trained me to be the “mini-mom” taking on the responsibilities and being in charge. That remained unchanged as I grew older, got married and eventually became a single mom, to the point of perennially being referred to as the “Ate at Nanay ng Bayan.” I too became a certified worrier!

Then one day, the Lord put me in an emotionally difficult circumstance that changed everything. He allowed an experience to happen to teach me a valuable lesson. Steadily, over the past three years, I have learned to simply keep still, be at His feet and entrust my life to Him. Slowly, I am being transformed from the Martha that I was to the Mary He wants me to be. Incidentally, my name is Maria Rosario. Marie Franco

REFLECTION:
Quiet down. Listen to Him. What is He trying to tell you?

O Lord, as I keep still, reveal what it is that I should live for and give me the heart to go as You command.

COMPANION

1st READING

Mary is at the heart of the mission of the Church. We can always look to her to intercede for us in our mission work, and know for sure that she will respond to our requests. Mary’s heart is a heart of evangelization. Like all true mothers, she does not want to see any of her children lost to the promises of eternal life.

Acts 1: 12-14 (or Galatians 1:13-24)
12 After Jesus had been taken up into heaven, the Apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

P S A L M

Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55 (or Psalm 139: 1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15)
R: The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
46 “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” (R) 48 “For he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: 49 the Mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.” (R) 50 “He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. 51 He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit.” (R) 52 “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” (R) 54 “He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, 55 the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and to his children forever.” (R)

G O S P E L

Mary’s life will forever be an example to us of a woman who has surrendered all and held nothing back. She is the best example of discipleship the Church has ever seen. As such, we have a lot to learn from her simplicity and humility. Nowhere does Mary ever seek to draw attention to herself! Let us pray that we will have the same level of humility as we seek to serve in the Kingdom of God.

Luke 1: 26-38 (or Luke 10:38-42)
26 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” 35 And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; 37 for nothing will be impossible for God.” 38 Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

my reflections
think: Let us pray that we will have the same level of humility as Mary as we seek to serve in the Kingdom of God.

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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 16-19

SABBATH


PRAY THE ROSARY

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. If we reflect upon the words of the “Hail Mary,” we will discover that the first half of it is purely scriptural and the second half is merely the request for Mary to pray for us in all of our neediness. I do not know how any Bible-believing Christian to the most left-wing or right-wing Catholic could have any problems with such a prayer.

Catholics are not obliged to pray the Rosary, but again, if we have such a great and powerful intercessor waiting to place our prayers before Jesus, her son, why wouldn’t we avail of such an offer? It seems to me that all the logic in the world points to praying the Rosary as well as to using Mary as an intercessor as a good idea. There are many other arguments I could make in favor of this thesis, including an analysis of the text in John’s Gospel where Jesus commends Mary to the care of the apostle John and him to her.

There are many examples in history where victory over disease and invading armies were attributed to the intercession of Our Lady. As we reflect today on the role of the Rosary in our lives and families, let us try to remember these things and so be encouraged to seek the intercession of Mary in our lives. We often ask others to pray for us as they ask us to pray for them. If we want something, often the first place we turn is to our mothers, especially if it means getting our father’s permission. Maybe we can put in place a similar strategy when we are seeking spiritual graces from our Father in Heaven. Of course, there is nothing to stop us from going straight to the Father, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but sometimes we might feel more comfortable knowing we have Mary as an intercessor at our side.

Mary interceded to Jesus for the couple who ran out of wine at their wedding. I am sure she will look as kindly upon our requests, provided of course they truly reflect Gospel principles and the will of God for our lives. Fr. Steve Tynan

Reflection Question:
When was the last time I prayed the Rosary? Does the Rosary have a place in my life?

Holy Spirit, help me to make full use of the gift of intercession from Mary and all of the saints in heaven as I seek to do the will of God in my life.

St. Artaldus, pray for us.

October 6, 2008 (Monday)

DIDACHE

ARE YOUR TRULY IN LOVE?

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” – Luke 10:27

For two years, I dated this very nice guy. We enjoyed each other’s company and we were happy for a while. However, it came to the point when I felt the need to ask where the relationship was headed and if I really had a special place in his heart. With sadness in his eyes he said, “You are very special to me but I am not ready for a commitment.”

True love is not just a feeling; it’s a commitment. And a commitment is when we keep on doing what we promised to do even when it goes against our own interest. It’s easy to say we love God but do we really mean it when we are faced with trials? Do we follow His will even if it’s totally against the desires of our heart?

We must not respond to God’s wholehearted love in a half-hearted manner. Loving God is not just something that we say with our lips. It’s something that we demonstrate with what we do with our lives as we live out His commands. Jane Gonzales

REFLECTION:
Love has to find a way to demonstrate itself. Do not let anything control you other than the love for the Lord and the desire to fulfill His will in your life.

Merciful Father, help us to grow in our love for You and find more satisfaction and joy in Your Presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

COMPANION

1st READING

Paul is a straight shooter! He does not take long to raise the issue that gives rise to this letter to the Galatians. I hope each of us has friends in our lives who will act similarly if we start to stray from the Lord’s path. Such forthrightness should be seen as a blessing and gift, and we should welcome it as difficult as that may be at times. No one likes to be corrected as it hurts our pride. But better to be corrected and returned to the path of truth than to wander off into the depths of sin!

Galatians :6-
6 Brothers and sisters: I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel 7 (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach [to you] a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! 9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed! 10 Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. 11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

P S A L M

Psalm : b- , 7-8, 9 and 0c
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) 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; sure are all his precepts, 8 reliable forever and ever, wrought in truth and equity. (R) 9 He has sent deliverance to his people; he has ratified his covenant forever; holy and awesome is his name. 10 His praise endures forever. (R)

G O S P E L


The story of the Good Samaritan is another one of the parables that we are in danger of ignoring due to over-familiarity. This is a great pity as we live in the world at a time of great tension between different peoples, religions and cultures. Only when we learn to respect all men and women, and treat them with a true sense of equality and brotherhood, will we be able to overcome the vast differences in culture and belief. This is, of course, a two-way reality. While we can love others as our brothers, the full effect of this love will only come when it is reciprocated.

Luke 0: - 7
25 There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” 27 He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” 29 But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 32 Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 33 But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. 34 He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ 36 Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” 37 He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

my reflections
think: Only when we learn to respect all men and women, will we be able to overcome the vast differences in culture and belief.

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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 13-15



SABBATH


VIGILANCE IS THE KEY TO FAITHFULNESS

Paul finds it difficult to believe how quickly the Christians in Galatia have returned to old ways of acting, and are following something other than the Gospel he preached to them. In my 14 years as a priest, I can say that I have felt exactly the same thing, but that was many years ago. I have come to learn a little bit more about human nature and the way that it seems to be able to veer away from truth and embrace something less than the whole truth.

Some might blame this tendency upon the after effects of Original Sin but dare I say that this seems to me to be a little simplistic? There is more to it than that. Jesus has given us victory over sin and called us to live the truth (no one knows this more than Paul) and we have the grace to stay on the right path and not be deceived by sin. We have choices to make, and in the words of Shakespeare, “Aye, there’s the rub!” We too easily look for excuses to hide or camouflage our poor choices. Let us embrace the truth and admit the fact that we often choose unwisely, and that is the reason we fall back into the ways of sin.

Discipleship is the key to a holy life. We must be willing to submit our lives to the scrutiny and direction of the Holy Spirit. Without making this choice, there is no way that anyone will be able to follow the path of God’s will. It is only in the grace and power of the Spirit that holiness becomes a possibility (see Romans 8). It is all about choices: we can choose to walk in the ways of God, and avoid the temptations of sin, or we can choose otherwise. Maybe concupiscence, the remnant of Original Sin has a part to play here, but I still believe we have a choice.

Holiness is a possibility if we surrender our lives to the grace of the Holy Spirit because this will enable us to make the right choices more easily. I need all the help I can to choose well. What about you? Fr. Steve Tynan

Reflection Question:
How active am I in placing my life under the grace and power of the Holy Spirit?

Lord Jesus, help me to surrender my life more deeply to the power of the Holy Spirit so that I will experience daily the grace of conversion and discipleship.

Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, virgin, pray for us.

October 5, 2008 (Sunday)

DIDACHE

Instant Noodles or Gourmet Food

Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:9

I used to be one of those who wanted quick fixes in my life. Growing up with instant noodles and fast food, I foolishly thought that personal transformation could be attained by acquiring self-help books.

I joined retreats and workshops and even two Life in the Spirit Seminars, looking for that bombastic event that would change my life. I heard dozens of testimonies from people who claimed to have been changed by God in ways that would make you think they were under Heaven’s Marketing Department. Then one time, while attending a healing retreat, a wise nun told me, “Red, healing is not an event. It’s a process. It’s not instant noodles but more of gourmet cooking. It takes a while.”

It hit me like a brick on my chest. I realized that an experience of God is not a one-time deal. It’s something that we constantly need to strive at every day of our lives. It’s a journey of saying “yes” that will lead to open other doors of “yeses.” And the more I struggle in my daily life in terms of what I learn, receive, hear and see from the Gospel, the more at peace I am with myself. Red Cerrer

REFLECTION:
Which would you prefer, instant noodles or gourmet food?

Jesus, create in me a new You each day.

COMPANION

1st READING

The only reason that this winepress brings forth sour grapes is that the people are not acting according to God’s will. The story is symbolic and teaches us that the sweetness of the fruits of our lives will be dependent upon our acting in accordance with God’s will. Yes, we may be able to achieve much using the gifts God has given us but is it what God wants us to achieve? If we move outside His will, we are moving outside the realm of His grace, and we cannot expect that all will necessarily be smooth and easy there.

Isaiah 5:1-7
1 Let me now sing of my friend, my friend’s song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; 2 he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. 3 Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? 5 Now, I will let you know what I mean to do to my vineyard. Take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! 6 Yes, I will make it a ruin. It shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. 7 The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!

P S A L M
Psalm 80:9 and 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19- 20
R: The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
9 A vine from Egypt you transplanted; you drove away the nations and planted it. 12 It put forth its foliage to the Sea, its shoots as far as the river. (R) 13 Why have you broken down its walls, so that every passer-by plucks its fruit, 14 The boar from the forest lays it waste, and the beasts of the field feed upon it? (R) 15 Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, 16 and protect what your right hand has planted: the son of man whom you yourself made strong. (R) 19 Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. 20 O LORD, God of hosts, restore us; if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved. (R)

2nd READING

Here is one of the not so well-kept secrets to becoming holy. We have to fill our minds with the truth, and all the things that come from God, rather than the lies and distractions of the world. This makes an enormous amount of sense to me. How can I expect to develop the mind and heart of God for His people if I am constantly submitting my mind to the rubbish available on TV and other forms of media, and I am rarely studying the Scriptures? Do I need to reprioritize my reading material in the light of this text in Philippians?

Philippians 4:6-9
6 Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 7 Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.

G O S P E L

These tenants are worse off than those in the story from the prophet Isaiah; they are deliberately seeking to usurp the land they have rented. They are not just bearing bad fruit! There are varying degrees to which we can sin, depending on what we do, or fail to do. It is important to recognize this as it is the serious sins that we need to address more urgently in our lives as these are capable of depriving us of eternal life! This is not to be taken lightly unless you want to live eternity apart from the love of God.

Matthew 21:33-43
33 Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. 34 When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. 35 But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. 36 Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. 37 Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ 39 They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” 41 They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” 42 Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes’? 43 Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”

my reflections
think:How can I expect to develop the mind and heart of God for His people if I am constantly submitting my mind to the rubbish available on TV and other forms on TV and other forms of media, and I am rarely studying the Scriptures?

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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 9-12



SABBATH PAUSE
My weekly time with God
THANK YOU LIST
Things to be grateful for from the past week
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SPECIAL NEEDS
Things to ask God for in the coming week
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HIDDEN TREASURE
Most important word God told me this week
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SABBATH

THE HORROR AND TRAGEDY OF SIN

One of the important things everyone must realize is the horror and tragedy of sin. Sin is a destructive reality that needs to be avoided at all costs. There is always a better option than sin. Whenever we give in to sin, we give in to a lesser form of who we can be in the eyes of God. Jesus, in every sense, is the perfect example of this principle in that He is without sin and able to be the mediator of the New Covenant. The sinlessness of Jesus is a necessary aspect of the gift of salvation. The call to holiness that is given to every Christian as a part of his or her salvation is the call to imitate the sinless nature of Jesus’ life. This is life-long work that will challenge all of Jesus’ disciples.

The parable in today’s Gospel illustrates for us how low sin can cause people to stoop. The people who lease the vineyards are really quite stupid in thinking they can get away with killing the son of their landlord. You may agree with this sentiment or not, but before you make a final decision about it, it is important to recognize that every sin we commit is of exactly the same sort as those tenants. Every time we sin, we go against the will of God, our Creator.

Coming to a deep understanding of the full reality and nature of sin will motivate us to fight temptations to sin when they come to us. It is only in resisting them that we will deal with them decisively. If we just let temptation hang around our lives, that is, if we allow ourselves to remain in the company of sin and sinners without doing something to correct the situation, we will ultimately succumb to the temptation. The wise man or woman will flee from sin as soon as he or she realizes that that is what he or she is dealing with. Fr. Steve Tynan

Reflection Question:
How decisively do I deal with sin in my life? Am I truly aware of the nature of sin and thus horrified even by the thought of entertaining it, let alone doing it?

Jesus, help me to realize that to deal with sin will require radical decisions on my part. Grant me the grace to make these decisions as soon as possible.

St. Flora, virgin, pray for us.

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.