Monday, August 31, 2009
THE LILY AND THE BLUEBIRD
Contributed by Daphne Harrington
August 29, 2009
Once upon a time there was a beautiful lily. This lily had a bluebird
friend who used to perch on a nearby fencepost and visit with her
nearly every day. Together they enjoyed observing the rancher and his
family who owned the place where they lived. They watched as, day
after day, the rancher and his family worked tirelessly. Though their
ranch was profitable and their hard work admirable, the conversation
the friends overheard and the things they observed were curious to the
pair. It seemed the more profitable the ranch became, the more the
family thought they needed.
The bluebird made an observational flight over the rancher's domain,
"You know, lily," he said upon his return, "All their hard work is
really paying off. They have increased and improved this place
substantially in the last few years."
"I know," replied the lily, "But have you also noticed that along with
their increase they have less and less time for each other. They have
all but quit going to church, and I hear them arguing more and more.
And come to think of it," she observed, "I used to see the farmer and
his wife taking long walks. Sometimes they walked together, hand in
hand and at other times I used to see each of them taking time out of
their busy days for a stroll alone in the woods, talking with the
Lord. Nowadays however, they are too busy for that."
The bluebird chimed in, "Now they've turned the management of the farm
over to the farmhands and have both taken jobs in the city in order to
earn even more money so they can keep up the possessions they already
have."
"Yes, and they've also bought a second home in Florida so they can
have a nice warm place to live when it gets too cold here," said the
lily.
The bluebird heaved a mournful sigh, "Lily," he said, "When the
rancher and his family went to church, do you think they heard how the
Heavenly Father told them to take a close look at you and me and to
observe the secret of simplicity in how He takes care of His
creatures? It seems to me they are complicating their lives instead of
making them better.
To all this, the beautiful lily replied, "Why is it that people go to
school and study textbooks and learn many great things, yet they
aren't smart enough to read God's textbook on life and apply it?"
"Yeah," said the bluebird, "Then they too could fly and be free."
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� 2009 FoodForThought
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TUESDAY 22ND WEEK ORDINARY TIME
TUESDAY 22ND WEEK 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
What is it in Christ's words that have the power to drive out unclean
spirits? While human words are always linked to the rational or
abstract, God's words are linked to action. We see this in the bible.
In the book of Genesis, God's words equal action: "Let there be light
and there was light." Furthermore God's words also show us the path to
happiness and truth. In second letter to Timothy 3:17, Paul says: "It
is useful for refuting error, for guiding people's lives and teaching
them to be upright."
But God's words are especially powerful because the Word of God is
Jesus Christ manifested. The Virgin Mary received the Word from an
angel and her acceptance led the way for the Redeemer to come amongst
us. The Word of God calls us to respond. We all receive the Word but
it is up to us to put it into practice. How we lead our lives will
show how we respond to God's Word.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the strength and healing of:
- Francis Torres
- Shiappee
- Richy Ozoa
- Lydia, Keempee and Kevin
- Brenda Domingo-Solis
- Lisa
… for the personal intentions of
- Pauline
- Josheil Dapo
… for the safety of San Juan de Dios Hospital
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Remedios Biagtan Groyon
- Raul and Epifania Ylaya
- Genoveva Mendoza
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for the healing and peace of all families
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Elpidio Yuson Dizon
- Birthday: Rev. Fr. James D'Souza
- Wedding Anniversary: David & Lucy Lim
- Wedding Anniversary: Arsenio & Daisy Loreta
- In Memoriam (+): Tan Ching Pay+
- In Memoriam (+): Ellen Young Dy (Aug 19, 1928-Sep 1, 1998)+
- In Memoriam (+): Benson Dy Chua (Dec 15, 1945-Sep 1, 2000)+
- In Memoriam (+): Marie Louise Cheng Fainsan
… 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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