DAILY READINGS REFLECTION (SATURDAY, 2nd DECEMBER, 2017)

SATURDAY OF THE THIRTY FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (Year I)
First Reading: Dan 7:15-27
Psalm: Dan 3. R. v. 60b
Gospel: Lk 21:34-36
As Jesus concludes the eschatological speech in the gospel of today, he calls us to be continuously vigilant. He said: “Take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life . . .” These words of Jesus is a call on the faithful to guard against becoming totally absorbed in daily life. It is a reminder to us that the material things of this world are like a trap which will continuously distract our attention from being vigilant as we await Christ’s coming.

Jesus further warns: “Watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.” This is a call to a life of vigilance and prayer in order not to get absorbed in the worldly events which are finite to the detriment of the heavenly reward which is eternal.
Therefore as we go about our daily activities, it should not distract us that we lose sight of being vigilant of the eternal realities. Life can be so pleasurable to leave us so weak in doing the most needful. In our short moment of living, we should not lose our alertness or overwhelmed by the pleasures of life. Constant introspection can reawaken our consciousness to get ourselves ready for Christ’s coming. Let us watch and pray for we do not know the hour. What shall we be found doing when that hour comes?
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord Jesus, help us to be vigilant and watchful in prayer as we await your coming. Amen.
FR VALENTINE EGBUONU, MSP

Comments

DAILY REFLECTION: SATURDAY, 16TH DECEMBER, 2017

SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OFADVENT TIME (Year II) First Reading: Sir 48:1-4. 9-11b Psalm: 80. R. v. 4 Gospel: Mt 17:9a. 10-13 The first reading of today reminds us of the great prophetic power of Elijah. He was a prophet feared by the people of his time. His deeds were wonderful and frightful. He called down fire from heaven, brought famine upon the land, and shut the heavens. The Jews feared and respected the prophet Elijah. According to the prophet Malachi (4:5-6), Elijah was to come before the Messiah. This was the reason why the disciples of Jesus while coming down from the mountain of transfiguration asked him of the coming of Elijah who was to come before him as prophesied by the Prophet.

DEATH IS A CERTAINTY.

"It is appointed unto men once to die."(Hebr: 9:27 The sentence of death has been written against all men: you are a man; you must die. “Our other goods and evils,” says St. Augustine, “are uncertain; death alone is certain” (Serm.97, E.H.). It is uncertain whether the infant that is just born will be poor or rich, whether he will have good or bad health, whether he will die in youth or in old age.

UNDERSTANDING THE HOLY EUCHARIST: The Real Presence of Christ.

The sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, is a sacrament instituted by Christ at the Last Supper when he told his Apostles: " This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19) While the other sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Holy Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Penance) give us grace, the Holy Eucharist gives us not just but grace, but also the author of grace, Jesus, God and Man. It is the center of all else the Church has and does.

CATHOLIC UPDATES

Search This Blog