Monday, August 29, 2005
TUESDAY 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
AUGUST 30, 2005
TUESDAY 22ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR I
1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-6, 9-11
Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need
for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people
are saying, "Peace and security," then sudden disaster comes upon them,
like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But
you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to
overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and
children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore,
let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. For
God did not destine us for wrath, but to
gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that
whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him.
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed
you do.
LUKE 4:31-37
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the
sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with
authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an
unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, "What have you to do
with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you
are-the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come
out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and
came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and
said to one another, "What is there about his word? For with authority
and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." And news
of him spread everywhere in
the surrounding region.
REFLECTION
Jesus speaks with authority and acts with authority in today's
gospel. We get an idea of how strong Jesus' authority is from the
reaction and astonishment of the people of Capernaum who heard Him
speak at the synagogue. And if His words did not impress, Jesus'
immediate removal of the demon from a man was perhaps enough to ensure
notice or recognition from the most indifferent witness that day.
Jesus is our friend and we run to Him when we need counsel or
comfort especially during trying times. But we should also remind
ourselves that He is also our King and leader, our absolute authority
as head of our Church, and our firm advisor to our actions and
attitudes.
Perhaps there are times when we treat Jesus as "equal" as like our
close friends or relatives. We may at times debate with Christ on a
number of issues and perhaps even allow our disagreements with Him to
bend or break Catholic principles such as issues on premarital sex,
abortion, and euthanasia.
We should be remember that the Lord will judge us in His Second Coming
on how we have led our lives as faithful followers. St. Paul, however,
reminds us that as much as the Lord will come someday in a decisive and
surprising manner to judge us all, He will come to bring us salvation -
His faithful and loving followers.
In our prayers, let us ask Jesus not only for his friendship but also
for our loyalty and willingness to listen; that we remain mindful that
the Lord is our leader and the authority of our faith.
PRAYER
"Lord, your word is power and life. May I never doubt your saving love
and mercy, and the power of your word to bring healing, restoration,
and freedom from sin and affliction."
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
- for the personal intentions of Jane Figuerres-Guillermo.
- for the safekeeping of the sons of EJ. For the healing of EJ's
mother.
- for the speedy recovery of Amy.
- for the personal intentions of Elizabeth.
- for the good health & special intentions of Elsa & Paolo.
- for the special intentions of Donna.
- for the personal intentions of Twink Beldia Palacio.
- for the speedy recovery of Alice.
- for financial & job stability & personal intentions of Richie & Joain
Magallanes
- for Alex and Reggie to have a stable job.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Wedding Anniversary: Willy & Denisa Tong
- 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!
***************************************************************
DISCLAIMER: FoodForThought shared this message as submitted and do not
claim to own any copyright privileges on it. All the messages are
believed to be free for circulation or public domain. All messages come
in either by email in original form or copied from the internet sites.
The work was submitted to us as an item for distribution, and it was
posted solely on the basis of its quality. It's a FREE service.
***************************************************************
To subscribe/unsubscribe, tell friends about FoodForThought, share a
reflection, read past issues and feedbacks, give donation or submit a
prayer request please go to: http://www.dailyfoodforthought.org
If you have no access to the internet, use these emails:
To subscribe:
subscribe@dailyfoodforthought.org
To unsubscribe:
unsubscribe@dailyfoodforthought.org
Feel free to forward this to your friends, family and associates!
Have a nice day!
© 2005 FoodForThought
