“…because we live like Jesus here in this world.” (c.f. 1st John 4: 16-18) July 29- August 4, 2013 Objective of the Week: To enter in the dynamism of the Word of God as Verbum Dei Family who has its source in the Word of God. To live out what we have listened and assimilated during the past weeks, making concrete options in our lives to live according to the Word and become ourselves Word of God to others.
IntroductionWe will take another step in the dynamism of the Word of God. We welcomed the Word with an act of faith, then we listened to the Word of God, last week we began to assimilate the Word of God, and this week we live according to the Word that we received. The question for this week is: “You can talk the talk, but can you walk the talk?" As Verbum Dei Family we are encouraged to prepare talks, testimonies and to preach the Word of God during many opportunities. But, how much of what we preach and pray is reflected from our daily lives? While preaching, Jesus offers us a vision of the life that He was living and sharing with the disciples. Even though the Gospels don’t reveal much of what Jesus lived during 3 years of his public life, we can still put the pieces together and see Him in His daily routines. Jesus lived His life like many of us; He would join His followers in their homes and share their meals, drinking and eating with them. He also sits down at the table with sinners, for which He is reproved by the religious authorities. He goes to weddings with Mama Mary and uses images of a wedding in His preaching. He regularly preaches about ordinary things that He sees and lives, like men working in the fields or fishing in the seas. Jesus prays daily, early in the morning He finds his quiet place to pray to the Father and start His day with a fresh heart. He prays late into the night if the next day brings important decisions. Jesus cares deeply for the sick and those rejected, love the poor and live a simple life, He approaches the sinners without pointing fingers and welcomes His enemies with forgiveness, He loved everyone and obeyed whatever the Father told Him to do. He lives in such radical way that it proves to His disciples, and today to us, that it is possible to live a modest life that is rooted in the love of God, our Father and do not be so much worried about clothes, food, money, work or entertainment. Even though radical, his life is not much different from our own lives. He is also tempted and He is persecuted, He is also tested in His faith and endures his daily challenges with the help of prayer and being humble and meek. Though He was God, He lowered Himself to our human condition and was tested as we are, without sinning. In your own daily struggles to live a life pleasing to God, talk to Him and learn from Him, know that Jesus understands what you are enduring. Trust that God knows what you need, before you even ask. MondayPrayingAnd early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there. (Mark 1: 35) And when day came, He departed to a lonely place; and the multitudes were searching for Him, and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from going away from them. (Luke 4:42) But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. (Luke 5:16) And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12) How often do you pray with the Word of God? How often do your stop to listen to God? TuesdayPreachingWhen Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region. (Matthew 11:1-3) But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” (Mark 1:37-39) Jesus said, “Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret.” (John 18:19-21) Do you share with your friends and family your prayer? How often do you preach? WednesdaySufferingChrist suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18) He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Matthew 26:38-40) Jesus understand our struggles and pains, He lived through the same human life as we do. Trust in Him, He is close to your heart. ThursdayPersecutions“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30) “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. (John 15: 18-20) Do not fear if the World seems to be fighting against you, turning your back on the World to live like Christ has its own rewards of eternal life. FridayLive Like Jesus Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144:14-15) So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. (Ephesians 5:14-16) And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the Day of Judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (1 John 4:16-18) How do you compare your life to Jesus’ life? Do you try to live like Him? SaturdayLearn from Him to Live like Him Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5: 1-10) Sunday18th Sunday in Ordinary Time1st Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17 2nd Reading: Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11 Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 Comments are closed.
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