Are we living the Gospel daily? - Mark 16:15-20, Solemnity of Ascencion of our Lord Jesus Christ, mass PICC Feast
(aba,napaisip isip ng kailaliman...am I, am I not?)
I was struck by the message of the priest during the Eucharistic celebration. Those words spoke directly to me, and into my heart.
In the gospel, our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples, Go out to the world and tell the Good News. (Mark 16:15) This was the mission Christ has given to each person who exclaim, "I am Christian."
Let me share to you some reflections I had:
First, I am a Christian.
Therefore, am I living the greatest commandment to love my neighbor as Jesus loved me? (John 15:12)
Therefore, am I living the greatest commandment to love my neighbor as Jesus loved me? (John 15:12)
As I recount how I value others as myself, I begged for His infinite mercy and grace. I admit, I was a hypocrite at times (quick to judge or consider myself more righteous), talk about others, proud,felt fear, frustrated, impatient, and on and on for all those failures. But praise God, He does not focus on my sin but on how much He loved me. He focuses on is Love, because He is Love Himself. Therefore, if I focus on how much He loved me....may I learn to love others more also, as Jesus loved.
Second, the Gospel. How do I live the Gospel if I don't even manage to study more about the Gospel?
I was happy, during the mass..I was sitting with one of my favorite friend named Rem, short for Rem me Dios. Who's presence at that moment reminded me of the Bible - The Good News. I asked myself, "how well do I know about the Gospel?"
I realized, for a while that i was taking my Bible for granted, even though she was with me everyday. She wants to show me more!
I realized, for a while that i was taking my Bible for granted, even though she was with me everyday. She wants to show me more!
Third, is my time with God my PRIME priority? Do i nurture my relationship with Him daily through Sacred Half Hour? (Sacred half hour is 30-minutes period meditating on God's Word and prayer. An intense moment with the Lord. Learn more about this on Prayer and Life Workshops ) Do I value "me and my God" time?
Fourth, I am His disciple a friend of God. How much do I serve? Do I serve for our Father's glory or my glory?
Do I seek every opportunity to speak about Him, about His love?
Do I listen through inspired teachings through the priests during mass, Bro. Bo's talk at the Feast, inspirational books and songs, learning well from mentors and life experiences of my brothers and sisters?
Living everyday and in every situation, "What would Jesus do in my place?"
Fifth, I am a member of the Light of Jesus Community. Do I live as I should? Loving as God's beloved and God's powerful Champion. Blessed and sharing blessings to the world and every stranger?
Lastly, the priest said. "Batiin mo ang katabi mo at sabihin. Kapatid, may mission ka!" Yes, the great Commission as the song goes "TAKE CHRIST TO THE WORLD, SHOW THAT WE ARE HIS BY THE WAY WE LIVE..." (this includes the special mission He planted in our hearts according to our skills for His greater glory.)
As one of the talks says, not everyone knows about the Love of Christ, much less read about the Bible and learn about the Good News of our salvation...we tell the world by the way we live. When we begin to transform ourselves, we transform the world.
Let's pray.
Dear Lord, You called me by name to take part in this great Commission to tell the Good News of our Salvation....You loved me, simply because you Love me.
I pray dear Father, that I commit myself to know more about you. Take time to get to know more of You through the Bible, life experiences, talks and participating in the Holy Mass.
I thank you for all you've done. For saving me. May my soul always hunger and be thirsty of you, of your love...knowing that You are my Bread of Life. The Living Water who cleanses me and quenches this dryness in me.
Holy Spirit, guide me, inspire me, strengthen me. That as I continue to uphold the Light of Jesus to every soul I meet, every soul I serve. I am serving through Christ. Lord remind me that if I suffer. I don't suffer alone, because Christ is in me.
May anything and everything every day be a dare (challenge) for me to be a Gospel and a Testimony. That Jesus lives forever in me, through me. Create in me a clean heart, Oh God. That my every intention would never be about my personal glory..But for your glory Father God. All through Christ our Lord with great joy. Amen.
This week, His love overflowed in me. I can't contain the joy inside me. His goodness overwhelmed me...
His Love was simply waiting for you. Right here, right now... He loves you too, How can you not love?
God bless us all! :)
