General Theme: Verbum Dei – a sign of God’s presence in the world of today. General Objective: To value our charism of prayer and preaching as the effective way to heal the people – going to the core of man’s conscience, heart, etc. To know that the essence of our Verbum Dei charism is to go to the root of the problem in society – healing the broken hearts of the people. Objective of the week: To know that the essence of our Verbun Dei charism is to go to the root of the problem in society.
INTRODUCTION
Last week, we were reminded about our human weaknesses, our being susceptible to sin. Sin can lead astray from God. Keeping ourselves away from him would cripple us to extend our hands to the sick and the needy. And therefore, healing is essential not only to the physical but also to the spiritual as well. The effective way of healing goes to the heart but the worst suffering of man is not the body but the spirit that drag him into sin. As Jesus said, “I assure you that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to the people of Tyre and Sidon than to you! And as for you Capernaum! Did you want to lift yourself up to heaven? You will be thrown down to hell! If the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Sidon, it would still be in existence today! You can be sure that on the Judgment Day God will show more mercy to Sodom than to you.” (Mat.11:22-24) We the VDFa must join in the spirit of prayer to help our brothers and sisters heal from the societal problem. Let us always be energized by our charism through our constant listening to God’s word. Let us be catalysts to help the world heal from eternal damnation. Mission is the best way to heal the world to touch their hearts and move their conscience. “What it says is this: “God’s message is near you ,on your lips and your heart that is, the message of faith t we that preach.” (Rom. 10:8) Are you willing to be healers to our broken brothers and sisters? Are you ready to bring Christ to them? MONDAY Reality of society and hypocrisy When you spread out your hands, I close my eyes to you; Though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! 16Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; 17learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow. (Isaiah 1:15-17) The vast love of the Father is always inviting us to turn away from sin, the root problem of the society. God never ceases to find ways to win back the hearts of his beloved children. His anger over our sins could not prevail for his love is greater than our transgressions. We the VD disciples are challenged not to be carried away by the current of the world instead let us fix our eyes on Jesus to uphold our charism. TUESDAY People don’t turn from their sins "Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. (Matthew 10:34) When Jesus finished giving these commands to his twelve disciples, 1 he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns. (Matthew 11:1) When Jesus finished giving these commands to his twelve disciples, 1 he went away from that place to teach and to preach in their towns. WEDNESDAY Reflections of the root problem of the society today There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26Jesus 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." 28He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." 29But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30Jesus 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. 32Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 33But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. 34He 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?" 37He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."(Luke 10:25-37) Indifference is one of the social problem for it shows lack of concern to our needy brothers and sisters. Let us remember that we are all God’s children and we are from his own image and likeness. To be indifferent to others is to be indifferent to Christ. People are insensitive to the feelings and the needs of others. Some people are only after of their own benefits at the expense of using, cheating, and oppressing others. They are unmindful of the effects to their children who will become unaware of sin because they thought that it is normal and is part of man’s struggles and survival. Do you just close your eyes and leave this problem behind? As VD what kind of help can you offer to heal the problem of the society? THURSDAY How Jesus reach out to the root of the problem "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. 21And in his name the Gentiles will hope."(Matthew 12:18-21) God never gives up on his children. Before he ascended into heaven, he called the people with different walks of life to be his disciples. Jesus was happy when he saw those people responded to his invitation and he was more pleased when they accepted the mission he gave to them. The mission that Jesus gave to them was the same mission that we have received today in the VD. Jesus is more delighted as we currently continue his mission. FRIDAY Chosen to reveal God At that time Jesus said in reply, "I give praise to you, 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. 26Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. 28"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Matthew 11:25-30) The yoke of Christ is love. Living in his love shall turn our sorrows into Chosen to reveal God joy, make our burdens into light, and change our meaningless into a meaningful life. His love is very essential in the world of mission, because it is the vital antedote of the problem of the society. It is only the love of Christ that can heal sin. We need to transmit this love to our brothers and sisters to bring healing to them. But the most important thing is we need to be healed first by Christ before others. Let us reveal to them that only Christ is the divine healer of our physical and spiritual illness. SATURDAY Sign of God’s presence in the society If only you heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul. 11"For this command which I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you. 12It is not up in the sky, that you should say, 'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?' 13Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?' 14No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out. (Deuteronomy 30:10-14) There are many people prefer to remain in sin, but God is hopeful to win back their hearts and ready to heal their brokenness. We are the hope of these people for God made us instruments for them. Let us be obedient to the invitation of Christ by doing the mission. Let us be the mouth, the hands, and the feet of Jesus to let them feel that God exists and he is present among us. SUNDAY 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st Reading: Genesis 18:1-10A Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15 2nd Reading: Colossians 1:24-28 Gospel: Luke 10:38-42 Comments are closed.
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