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 be a sign of God’s presence in the world as a Verbum Dei Family
INTRODUCTION
The identity of the VDMFa is expressed in its own name: to be “family”, profoundly “missionary”, at the service of the “Word of God”. The VDMFa gathers in her womb, persons or group of all states of life, age, culture and social condition, who participate in one same vocation to be “Verbum Dei”. All of us are united by the common call to identify ourselves personally and in community with Jesus, revealing the face of our One and Triune God in our lives. (Verbum Dei Statutes #1.2.3) MONDAY Christ’ Presence in our Service for Others 20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20-28 We serve the Lord by serving others. Those we served sees God’s presence in our service. Who are the concrete people God is inviting you to reveal His face? TUESDAY God’s Presence in the WORD 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Matthew 13:36-43 Our mission is to sow the seeds of the Word of God in the heart of the people with hope that all may shine in the kingdom of God. How often do you bring God’s presence to others by sharing His Words? WEDNESDAY God’s Presence in Prayer 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46 Oftentimes people have a hard time allocating time for prayer. Let us show to them that in prayer there is treasure that satisfies all the thirst for genuine happiness and satisfaction. Do you recognize this treasure? How much time do you invest in it? THURSDAY God’s Presence in Bearers of Peace and Righteousness 47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Matthew 13:47-53) Being in the VD family,we are God’s instruments for gathering in all who will come. In the end, God will reward according to what each one deserves. God offers His Kingdom to all who believe in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour, Who brings righteousness, peace and joy. To whom are you invited by God to share the goodness of God? FRIDAY God’s Presence in Our Distress 19 And many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:19-27) What do we do when we are sorrowful and in distress? Of course, we run to Jesus because of our faith and deep relationship with Him. Let us illuminate the Light of Jesus to others who are in distress but don’t know where to run to. Our faith must not be exclusive limited only to ourselves, but must be inclusive so that others may feel the love, healing, hope and friendship of Jesus. Is your faith in Jesus an exclusive or inclusive faith? SATURDAY God’s Presence In Our Courage 14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prisonbecause of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. 6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:1-12) How courageous are we to take a strong stand for the truth? Are your ready to stand for Jesus and for His truth and righteousness? Let us ask the Lord for a strong conscience that we may recognize evil for what it is and help us to choose what is good and to reject what is contrary to His will. SUNDAY 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st Reading: Ecc. 1:2; 2:21-23 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90:34. 5-6, 12-13, 14,17 2nd Reading: Col. 3:1-5, 9-11 Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 Comments are closed.
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