Gospel Reflections for February 1:
Sunday Mark 1:21-28

What do we get if we are taught by someone without authority? We get nothing from it. Would we still go and listen to him? Of course not! We would prefer to go and listen to the person who teaches with authority and conviction.

Jesus teaches both with authority and conviction that’s why when He entered the synagogue and taught there. Everyone was captured in amazement and admiration. It was further reinforced when they saw Jesus rebuked and commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man whom it has possessed.

Now, relating this gospel reading to our lives. Jesus still talks to us with authority and conviction until this very moment through the Ordained Ministers of the church (the Pope, Bishops, Priest and Deacons) through the gospel and readings at Mass. We must intently listen to what is being proclaimed in the readings and gospels for it will guide us on how to live our lives pleasing in the eyes of God.

God also speaks to us in the homily/sermon of the priest; if only we will intently listen we will certainly get something out of it no matter how boring the homily is. But sometimes we don’t even care to listen when the priest is giving his homily because our ears, minds and attentions are wondering somewhere else.

When we read the bible specially His proclamations He also talks to us there with authority. If we will be serious in our bible readings/study we will be able to discern Jesus directly speaking to us. Just try reading with faith John 6 (the Eucharistic discourse of Jesus). But the big question mark again is: Do we read our bibles? Or it is just in the corner gathering dust.

The man possessed with an unclean spirit immediately sensed the presence of Jesus that’s why when Jesus said: “"Quiet! Come out of him!" It immediately convulsed; these words of Jesus are so powerful that the unclean spirit immediately came out of from the man. This is also what Jesus does in our lives once we religiously listen to Him. He will drive out all the demons of this material world that is slowly enslaving us. These demons/unclean spirit are the following: Our greed for material thing, our lust for the flesh our egoistic attitudes and many more ungodly things....

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Gospel Reflections for February 2,
Monday Luke 2:22-40

I’d like to focus my reflection on Simeon, a righteous and devout man. He was given a revelation by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. Then, finally the revelation came to pass. Jesus was brought into the temple by His parents upon seeing the Baby Jesus He took Him into his arms and blessed God by saying: “"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation.” Simeon further said: “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

The grace of the Holy Spirit was with Simeon because he was a righteous and devout man of God. What if he was not righteous and devout would he still receive the revelation? I don’t think so.

What is very clear here is that righteousness and devoutness to God can do us a lot of good we may not be aware of it but we are actually inviting the grace of the Holy Spirit when we are inspired to follow Simeon’s righteousness and devoutness to God.

Let us all follow Simeon’s path, for we will surely gain favour from God....

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Gospel Reflections for February 3,
Tuesday Mark 5:21-43

We see in the gospel two stories of faith with actions.

The first one is an official of the synagogue named Jairus who upon Seeing Him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live."

The second one is a woman who has been afflicted with hemorrhage for twelve years. She heard that Jesus will be passing thru her way. When He passed thru her she touched His cloak with the belief that her action will heal her.

Both Jairus and the woman got the healing that they wanted from Jesus because they both have faith and they supported their faith with actions. They did not just pray for healing—they went out of their way to meet Jesus and have that personal encounter with Him.

Brothers and sisters it is not enough that we pray for healing we must have that initiative to meet Jesus in the flesh and also have that personal encounter with Him. Our Roman Catholic faith has taught us that we have this personal encounter with Jesus by being present in the celebration of the Holy Mass. It is during Communion in the Mass the we become one with Him.

To me this is the most perfect opportunity to ask Jesus in faith whatever healings that we want from Him. But the big question is this: “Do we have that freewill to be with Jesus in the celebration of the Holy Mass?”

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Gospel Reflections for February 4,
Wednesday Mark 6:1-6

What is the feeling of a person who will be going back to the place where he spent almost thirty years of his life? Of course it’s a mix feeling of excitement and anticipation. This must have been the feeling of Jesus while He was on His way to Nazareth—His native place.

Unfortunately He got a rude welcome from His town mates, He was mocked some even took offense at Him. For whatever reasons I don’t know. Perhaps they were envious of Jesus sudden fame with the Masses; perhaps they could not accept that Jesus has become an eloquent speaker and a healer. Perhaps they have that crab mentality mindset already.

As a consequence of their unbelieving attitude Jesus did not make any spectacular healings there for He was amazed at their lack of faith. His townsfolk lack of faith invites us also to examine our own faith in Jesus.

Maybe it’s lacking also...



credits: mjdasma.blogspot.com