6.30.11

Lectio: Mt 11.25-30

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mt 11.28
"O God, You know we are weak and You have given us a wonderful remedy.
I remember Your Son invites all who are burdened to come to Him and He will give them rest - how generous and kind of Him!

Grant that I may always turn to Jesus whenever the cares or demands of duty feel burdensome knowing He will provide the respite I need.

I ask this of You who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

Operatio: Reflect on Jesus’ offer to give rest when I am burdened- How have I experienced it in the past? Resolve to keep Jesus’ offer in the forefront and especially to make it known to those who are troubled or burdened and to whom I am called to minister so they will be refreshed.

Tomorrow’s readings: Lk 2.41-51

6.28.11

Mt 16:13-19

"O God, we must all decide for ourselves who Jesus is.

I remember Jesus declared the very point when He asked His disciples whom do they say He is?
Grant that the answer Peter gave be not only on my lips but also in my heart.

I ask this of You who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

Operatio: Reflect on what it means to say that Jesus is the Messiah. It means more than the "anointed One."
It means God's only Begotten Son means I have a Daddy God who loves me tremendously. Resolve to show my appreciation
by loving God with my whole heart, soul and strength and my neighbor as my self so that Jesus will be my Messiah in fact.

Tomorrow’s readings: My 9.1-8

6.27.11

Lectio: Mt 8.23-27

"The men were amazed and said, ‘What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and sea obey’?” Mt 8.27

"O God, what power You bestowed upon Your Son.
I remember that at His rebuke, the winds and sea became calm - how awesome!
Grant that when I am in dire straits to remember You are there with me so that I may have calm despite the turmoil and You will bring me safely to Your home.
I ask this of You who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

Operatio: Reflect on my trust in God - The God I believe in is so powerful that He was able to bring order out of chaos at the beginning of creation. Because He is so powerful and because He loves me and cares for me, I can and I must always put my trust in Him by putting my trust in Jesus.

Tomorrow’s reading: Mt 16.13-19

6.26.11

Lectio: Mt 8.18-22

"But Jesus answered him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury the dead’.” Mt8.22

"O God, Your words are true and we must not take them lightly but sometimes we must not take them literally.

I remember Jesus told a would be disciple to ‘follow me’ and ‘let the dead bury the dead’ - how harsh these words may have been to the ears of that man!

Grant that I may get the point Jesus was making - the absolute priority of discipleship as the guiding principle for all otherwise the kingdom of this earth will take priority over the kingdom of heaven and one will be a great loser.

I ask this of You who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

Operatio: Reflect on Jesus’ reply to a would be follower - Realize that Jesus was using hyperbole to make a point for the dead certainly cannot bury the dead. When you realize this, you see that Jesus was stressing the absolute priority of discipleship and pray to never take Jesus’ words lightly.

Tomorrow’s reading: Mt 8.23-27

6.25.11

Lectio: Jn 6.51-58

"I am the living Bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; an the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” Jn 6.51

"O God, You are a God of mystery and miracles.
I remember Jesus declared He is the “living Bread” and He will give us his “flesh” to eat; and He does through the Eucharist every day.
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Grant that I may always partake of the Eucharist knowing that it is Jesus whom I eat and who gives me life.

I ask this of You who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

Operatio: Reflect on the Eucharist - It is Jesus who comes in a real, personal and loving way every time I receive it and who nourishes me with His life so that I may have eternal life - how awesome.

Tomorrow’s reading: Mt 8.18-22

6.18.11

Lectio: Jn 3.16-18

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him, might not perish but might have eternal life.” Jn 3.1`6

"O God, You desire that we be with You for all eternity - and You made it easy for us.
I remember You sent Your only Son so that through Him we could have unending life with You.
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Grant that I may be ever grateful to Your Son for becoming one of us so that we might become one with You.

I ask this of You who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

Operatio: Reflect on believing in Jesus - It is not simply acknowledging who He is, the Son of God. It means living the Way of life He proclaimed and especially in His Sermon on the Mount. Resolve with God’s grace to so and always let love be my guide.”

Tomorrow’s reading: Mt 8.18-22

P.S. I will be on vacation until 6.25 and I will resume sharing my reflections then. All of you will be remembered in my prayers.

6.17.11

Lectio: Mt 6.24-34

"Can you be worrying add a single moment to your life span?” Mt 6.27
"O God, You are aware of our needs and of our greatest need - life; and You have provided for it in a most wonderful way.

I remember Jesus preached about our worrying about our needs and our life span for He assured us that You know our needs and You will provide for them.
Grant that I may seek the kingdom and strive for the righteous and allow You to be You.
I ask this of You who lives and reigns with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

Operatio: Reflect on worry - At the heart of it is our desire to be in control of what we are not. Resolve to pray and hope and not worry knowing in faith that Jesus already has provided us life after death to those who believe in Him. Jn 3.16 .

Tomorrow’s reading: Jn 3.16-18