For, "Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ”(1 Corinthians 2:16) July 6-11, 2015 General Theme: “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men.” General Objective: To assimilate that to form Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others imply that we integrate the Word of God in all dimensions of our life. Objective of the week: To have the same mind of Jesus who always thought in the good of others not on Himself. To be open minder in order to continue evangelizing this present world.
IntroductionLast week we contemplated Jesus in whom we can found the true value of our humanity and to aspire to be perfect as Jesus was a perfect man. This week we will aspire to have the same mind of Jesus who always thought in the good of others not on Himself. Jesus gave us the commandment to love our neighbor as yourself. It is through our love of others that we can come to know the love of God. The ability to put others first demands patience and a calm and controlled mind. This virtue comes only with a disciplined life based on a foundation of daily prayer integrating the gospel in our daily activities where we gain strength to control our passions and get beyond our own interests. This is the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross . He willingly gave His own life for our salvation. In our generation of today let us have a mind like that of Jesus to think of others first before of ourselves, to also open the mind of others to think the same way and in this way we can continue to evangelize in this present world. MondayHumility and Greatness3Nothing is to be done out of jealousy or vanity; instead , out of humility of mind everyone should give preference to others,4 everyone pursuing not selfish interests but those of others.5Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God something to be grasped. 7But he emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, 8 he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on the cross. 9 and for this, God raised Him high, and gave Him name which is above all other names. (Phil. 2:3-9) Jesus as human being has His own share of trouble and suffering. Before we felt the pain of sufferings in life, He went through all of these already. He was able to accept death on the cross because of His humility, thinking of the salvation of His undeserving people. He bécame slave to us out of His great love to humanity. How about us, are we also ready to be slave for the sake of the needs of others? Are we not slave of our time in gadgets and social media? Are we not slave of our work to the extent of forgetting someone or something more important? What can you give up today so that others may live? TuesdayLife in God's Service1I urge you, then, brothers, remembering the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, dedicated and acceptable to God; that is the kind of worship for you, as sensible people.2Do not model your behavior on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern for yourselves what is the will of God- what is good and acceptable and mature. (Romans 12:1-2) 10 In brotherly love let your feelings of deep attraction for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself.11 In the service of the Lord, work not halfheartedly but with conscientiousness and an eager spirit.12 Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly; 13share with any God’s holy people who are in need; look for opportunities to be hospitable. (Romans 10-13) In whatever place and work we are, this is our share of mission and worship to God. Let us be sensitive to the needs of others around us and even those who are far away from us. Someone might need our listening ears, our helping hands, our encouraging words and motivation in order for them to be uplifted and be filled with spirits. Everyday is an opportunity for us to be in God’s service though the people that we meet where God assigned us to do the mission. To be in God’s service is the source of our true happiness knowing that we draw our strength from the Word of the Lord. Who can you encourage and motivate today? WednesdayGiving from a Generous Heart and an Abundant Mind6 But remember, anyone who sows sparsely will reap sparsely as well, and anyone who sows generously will reap generously as well. 7Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctant or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8 God is perfectly able to enrich you with every grace, so that you always have enough for every conceivable need, and your resources overflow in all kinds of good work. 9As scripture says; to the needy he gave without stint, his uprightness stands firm forever. (2 Corinthians 9:6-9) St. Francis of Assisi said, “It is in giving that we receive”. Yes, when we give with a pure motive in our hearts, the joy of giving becomes its own reward. Anywhere and anytime we have an opportunity to give. While we have piles of clothes we are not using in our closet, think of how many are wearing rags? While we have many pairs of shoes we seldom wear, think of how many are walking barefoot. While we have lots of leftover food that turned spoil, think of how many can barely eat three times a day? While we have all the comforts in life, think of those who are homeless, uneducated and abused. Even a kind gesture can heal wounds that only compassion can heal. Even how small, we can give, it is always of great help to the one who needs it. As Mother Teresa said” It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”. How does giving without expectation feel to you? Do you find it difficult to give without expecting in return? Think how Jesus gave His all even up to His last breath so that we will live and how God is continuously providing us with our needs in body and in spirit, so that we can have something to share to others. FridayJesus in each one of us35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was stranger and you made me welcome, 36lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me”. 37Then the upright will say to Him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome, lacking clothes and clothed you? 39When did we find you sick or in prison and go to see you?” 40 And the King will answer, “In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me”. (Matthew 25:35-40) Thinking more of others than of ourselves is thinking what we can do for Jesus. What can you do for Jesus today? SaturdayThe unlimited providence of God gives us unlimited grace for others25That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and what you are to wear. Surely, life is more than food, and the body more than clothing! 26Look at the birds in the sky, they do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are? 27 Can anyone of you, however much you worry, add one single cubit to your span of life? 28 and why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; 29yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his royal robes was clothed like one of these.30Now if that is how God clothes the wild flowers growing in the field which are there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you who have so little faith? 31So do not worry; do not say, “What are we to eat? What are we to drink? What are we to wear? 32It is the gentiles who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. 33Set your hearts on His Kingdom first, and on God’s saving justice, and all these other things will be given you as well. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself, each day has enough of its own. (Matthew 6:25-34) We are being reminded that God never stops providing our needs. We are being assured that even if give generously to others, our well will never be run out of water because God is the spring that abundantly refills it every time it runs dry. Let’s free our minds of worries but instead let’s fill it with how we can reach out to others. How much worries do you have everyday? Are you assured now of limitless providence of God? Sunday15th Sunday in Ordinary Time1st Reading: Amos 7:12-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85:9-14 2nd Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14 Gospel: Mark 6:7-13 Comments are closed.
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