Friday, August 12, 2005
SATURDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
AUGUST 13, 2005
SATURDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR I
JOSHUA 24:14-29
Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, and
addressed them, saying: "Fear the LORD and serve him completely and
sincerely. Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and
in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it does not please you to serve the
LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served
beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are
dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." But the
people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD for the service
of other gods. For it was the LORD, our God, who brought us and our
fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He
performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us
along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we
passed. At our approach the LORD drove out all the peoples, including
the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve the
LORD, for he is our God." Joshua in turn said to the people, "You may
not be able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous
God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If, after
the good he has done for you, you forsake the LORD and serve strange
gods, he will do evil to you and destroy you." But the people answered
Joshua, "We will still serve the LORD." Joshua therefore said to the
people, "You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the
LORD." They replied, "We are, indeed!" Joshua continued: "Now,
therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your
hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." Then the people promised
Joshua, "We will serve the LORD, our God, and obey his voice." So
Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and
ordinances for them at Shechem, which he recorded in the book of the
law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the
oak that was in the sanctuary of the LORD. And Joshua said to all the
people, "This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the
words which the LORD spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you,
should you wish to deny your God." Then Joshua dismissed the people,
each to his own heritage. After these events, Joshua, son of Nun,
servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten.
MATTHEW 19:13-15
Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and
pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children
come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs
to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
REFLECTION
We must become like children to enter the kingdom of God. But what is a
child like? Children are certainly not perfect of sinless. Anyone who
has watched even the smallest of children play together, has no doubt
noticed the selfish impulses that motivate them. But one quality of
children that we can imitate is their trust. Children have to be
trusting. They depend on their parents and other adults for their
survival and they know it. Even an abused child will trust his or her
parents for quite a while before growing embittered.
This trust is a virtue. As St. Paul says of the charismatic gift of
love, "There is no limit to love's forbearance, to its trust, its hope,
its power to endure." Children seem to posses these essential traits of
love. In this, they are very close to God, for as John tells us, "God
is love."
This childlike attitude is a part of one who is "born again" in the
true sense of the word. But Paul does not want us to be childish in our
childlikeness. He says, "Brothers, do not be childish in your outlook.
Be like children as far as evil is concerned, but in mind be mature."
He says to the Ephesians, "Live as children of the light. Keep careful
watch over your conduct. Do not act like fools, but like
thoughtful men." This hardly sounds like the conduct of immature
children. As we mature as a church, the body of Christ, Jesus is
actually realized and matured in us. This is a great mystery.
Do we seek a maturity that is based on childlike trust in God? Or do we
seek a worldly wisdom that is, in essence, childish? Do we confuse
childlikeness with childishness? St. Paul says, "You know that when you
were pagans, you were led astray as impulse drove you." The wind of the
Spirit involves more than just impulse. It involves mature discernment.
We must have a balance between childlike openness to God and mature
discernment of the Spirit.
PRAYER
"Lord, may we never hinder our youth from coming to you to receive your
blessing and healing power. Make our youth strong in faith and
character that they may follow you zealously. And as we grow with age,
may we never lose that child-like simplicity and humility which draws
us into your loving presence."
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Mrs. Tan Poe. Eternal rest
grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in
peace.
- for the special intentions of Nanding.
- for the speedy recovery and healing of BB, Nathan, Lloyd, Mary, Ann,
Tracy, Binnie's sister, Bobbie's mom.
- Thanksgiving: Richmond Sy
- for the personal intentions of Genevieve.
- for the speedy recovery and safekeeping of Martin Allen Kunz.
- for Demetria M. Guevarra for her US visa interview
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Prayer Intention: Joyce L. Gotamco
- In Memoriam: Perfecto Gotauco
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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