June 30 - July 6, 2014 Objective of the week: To learn from Peter and Paul what a missionary heart is.
IntroductionLast week we were reminded that we are nourished by Jesus in the Eucharist, to which we were united to learn from Him. What do we need to learn from Jesus? The given words of Jesus this week from this guideline sheet will help us discover more of what we need to learn from Jesus our good shepherd; wherein this learning is concretely seen in the missionary heart of the life of Peter and Paul. These two people are one of the greatest Disciples of Christ. Why are they great? Because they humbly submit themselves to the Choice of God for their lives as “Apostles of Christ”. They were great not because the world told them, not because they had the capacity and strength to follow Christ, but because of their faith in Jesus when He said, “You don’t have the capacity but I will capacitate you”. Peter and Paul are great because they tried to follow Christ in their simplest and humblest way, to the point of giving their lives through preaching the Word of God till death. Why were they able to give their lives as an apostle? Because of their grateful hearts in recognizing how God loves them. Then from that love, they were Chosen as Apostles even in the midst of their unworthiness. As Saint Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:5, “Love does not keep a record of wrongs.” The realization of Peter and Paul of the love of God led them to the way in finding out that being an Apostle of Christ is to savor the life in union with Jesus our Savior. This week, we are invited to fix our eyes on Jesus on how He chose Peter and Paul as His Apostles. His way of choosing them is the very same way he chose each one of us as Apostles through the Verbum Dei Missionary Family. Jesus keeps calling us, “Come follow me.” Even continues to invite us when he said, “If today you hear my voice harden not your hearts.” Have a heart of flesh and be open in listening to the invitation of Christ to you this week when he said: “Come with me.” (Matthew 4:15) and “be united to me” (John 15) for I come to give life, life to its fullness (John 10:10) Monday“I call you to bring mercy”“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9: 3-6) But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15-16) “The Hallmark of the Christian life is not sacrifice, believe it or not, but it is MERCY.” (Fr. James Mctavish, FMVD) Reflection: Are you convinced of the Choice of God that you are His Apostle? Do you see why His love for you made Him choose you as His Apostle? Are you grateful that He chose you? Is your heart ready to say “Yes” as He says, “Come with me”? Tuesday“I Choose You Because I Love You”When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8) For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh King of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 7:6-8) Reflection: Are your convinced of the merciful love of God to you? Do you see the compassion of Christ in your life? Why is He choosing you? Calling you? Are you willing to give your life for Jesus as His Apostle? Wednesday“Be with me for I have the words of eternal life”From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66-69) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. (John 6:63) Reflection: Are you willing to remain in Jesus no matter what will happen? Do you recognize Jesus in the way Peter recognized Him? Do you value the words that give eternal life? Thursday“Remain United to Me” |
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