Tell the World

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, while I recount what has been done for me.” – Psalm 66:16            As a teacher, I have learned to become more animated when I tell stories to students. I would consciously vary my voice, gestures and facial expressions to make the story more interesting. There would be parts in the story that I would tell with exaggeration.        But when I talk about what God has done in my life, whether in a small group or a large crowd, the enthusiasm comes out naturally. I don’t need to deliberately exaggerate because when God works, it’s always a big deal for me. An empty parking lot in a mall on a Sunday afternoon, a free lunch, a free trip for three to Cebu, a free upgrade to business class in one of my international trips, protection in a car accident, the good health  of my family, a career breakthrough, financial provisions — I could go on and on with my list of answered prayers. But one thing remains — God has been working in my life, always for my good, even if sometimes it seems like He’s not there.        God has done great things for me, and I am sure He does the same for you. When we tell our story, there’s no need for exaggeration or animation. Our blessing-filled life is more than awesome enough to share to the world. Lala dela Cruz (bella.delacruz@gmail.com) Reflection: Have you ever experienced the power of God working in your life? It’s time to tell the world! Father, thank You for a life of answered prayers. May I be a living witness to Your love and goodness. St. Peter of Tarentaise, pray for us.

Didache | Companion | Sabbath | Top

COMPANION

1ST READING   The question as to how a person can learn about the faith unless someone instructs him is a very good one. It ought to awaken our hearts to reflect on our duty and responsibility in proclaiming the Gospel. What is God asking us to do in this regard? There is always something we can do to further progress the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.   Acts 8:26-40 26 Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, “Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route.” 27 So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go and join up with that chariot.” 30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him. 32 This was the Scripture passage he was reading: Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will tell of his posterity? For his life is taken from the earth. 34 Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply, “I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?” 35Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this Scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him. 36 As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?” [37] 38 Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip came to Azotus, and went about proclaiming the good news to all the towns until he reached Caesarea.   P S A L M   Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20 R: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. 8 Bless our God, you peoples, loudly sound his praise; 9 he has given life to our souls, and has not let our feet slip. (R)16 Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. 17 When I appealed to him in words, praise was on the tip of my tongue. (R) 20 Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness! (R)   GOSPEL   Jesus is claiming to be greater than Moses. This is no small claim in the eyes of the Jews as Moses was the most important figure in their history. It is easy to see how such a claim could scandalize some of the Jews. If the connection between Jesus and His identity as the Messiah is not made or accepted, indeed His claim is both blasphemous and scandalous.   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.   John 6:44-51 44 Jesus said to the crowds: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets: ‘They shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; 50 this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.”   think: There is always something we can do to further progress the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.   T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST Thank You Lord for: __________________   ____________________________________   God’s special verse/thought for me today_ _____________________________________   READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Deuteronomy 23-26

Didache | Companion | Sabbath | Top

SABBATH

THE LIVING BREAD   Jesus says, “I am the living bread.” Think about this statement for a moment. What does it mean to you? To me, it is a proclamation of solidarity. It is the Father and Jesus telling us that they are not interested in sitting in heaven and watching us make a mess of our lives. They want to engage us and help us to discover the wonders of a personal relationship with God.        If I am right about this attitude of God, then what are we doing to enable God to work in our lives? More often, we are the ones who reject or drive away the capacity of God to work in our lives. We have the freedom to open or close our door to God’s grace. God gives us this choice so that our relationship with Him is the result of our own decision. A relationship between adults that is forced is not a real relationship — it does not reflect true love. It is love that God wants from us, not because He needs it for Himself, but because He knows that this is what is best for us.        The whole imagery of the Eucharist in this passage screams to us of God’s desire to be one with us. He has done all that He can to offer us the deepest level of relationship possible. The Scriptures reveal to us how God has been doing this since the start of His relationship with the Jewish people. They also narrate some of the ways people have responded well and otherwise. It is now up to each of us to add our stories to the list. God never gives up on us as individuals, or the human race in general. He always comes back to us and makes a new offer.        The feeding miracles of Jesus speak to us of the abundance of God’s love — there is always enough to go around, no matter how many of us respond to His offer. God’s love is infinite. This is His character and it is into this love that He invites us all. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL   REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How do you see the feeding miracles in the ministry of Jesus? What do they mean to you? What do they teach you about the nature of God’s love for you?   Holy Spirit, open my eyes and heart to the truth of God’s love for me. Help me to see that it is a love without limits, a love that transforms, and a love that will never die. source: Kerygma Family  dated: 08 May 2014