Wednesday, January 04, 2006
THURSDAY, WEEKDAY OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
JANUARY 5, 2006
THURSDAY, WEEKDAY OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON - YEAR II
1 JOHN 3:11-21
For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should
love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the evil one and
slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own
works were evil, and those of his brother righteous. Do not be
amazed, (then,) brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we
have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever
does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a
murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining
in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life
for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If
someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him
compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us
love not in word or speech but in deed and truth. (Now) this is how
we shall know that we 7 belong to the truth and reassure our hearts
before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than
our hearts and knows everything. Beloved, if (our) hearts do not
condemn us, we have confidence in God
JOHN 1:43-51
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he
said to him, "Follow me." Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from
the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have
found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the
prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of
Joseph." "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael
asked. "Come and see," said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael
approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom
there is nothing false." "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree
before Philip called you." Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are
the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus said, "You
believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall
see greater things than that." He then added, "I tell you the truth,
you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and
descending on the Son of Man."
REFLECTION
In today's reading of John's first letter to the young Church, he
speaks often about God being love and loving us. Now he moves on
that God is love and that he loves us. There is no doubt about this
in John's mind. John does not doubt that God is love and his loving
us indeed demands that we love one another - that we love our
brothers and sisters. John directs our attention to Cain who killed
his brother. He contrasts Cain with Christ who laid down his life
for us. "The way we came to understand love" John writes, "was that
Jesus laid down his life for us; we too must lay down our lives for
our brothers and sisters." Cain was a murderer. John insists that
anyone who hates his sibling is a murderer. And, he says, eternal
life does not abide in a murderer's heart. John takes a hard-nosed,
realistic view of the spiritual life. "I ask you," he
questions, "how can God's love survive in a man who has enough of
this world's goods, yet closes his heart to his brother when he sees
him in need?" He urges us, "Let us love in deed and in truth and
not merely talk about it."
We look around this country and see the vast majority of our people
living in poverty. But let us look at ourselves rather than at our
leaders. "I ask you, how can God's love survive in a man who has
enough of this world's goods, yet closes his heart to his brother
when he sees him in need?
Let us love in deed and in truth and not merely talk about it." John
says, "The man who does not love is among the living dead."
PRAYER
"Heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have opened the
way to heaven for us. As you revealed yourself to your beloved
Patriarchs and Apostles, so reveal yourself to me that I may glorify
you in my daily life. May I always find joy in your presence and
never lose sight of the kingdom of heaven."
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
- for the enlightenment and conversion of Armando.
- In Thanksgiving: Lydia
- for blessings, protection and good health of the Pe Family
- In thanksgiving: Balingit's family.
- In Thanksgiving for Rikit Navarro's recovery and personal prayers
answered.
- for the continued speedy recovery of Mike Torres.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Joel Felipe Davis. Eternal
rest grant unto him and may perpetual light shine upon her. May he
and all the souls of the dearly departed rest in peace.
- In Thanksgiving for Raymund and Cris answered personal prayers.
- In Thanksgiving for Parke, Tracy, Jade, and Donna's safe travel
back to the Philippines.
- In Thanksgiving for Raymund Davis' recovery and personal prayers
answered.
- for the early recovery of Felipe Davis.
- for the personal intentions of Marlon Llamas.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Andrea Lim
- 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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