Regalado Jose Sr-A GOSPEL REFLECTION # 2

In our world today, especially in the Philippines, poverty is a common issue. Shanties can be found everywhere, and the rich don’t even bother. The gospel for this Sunday is a perfect reminder for us. It makes us realize that we, at times, could be the rich man in the story, and we are just indifferent to our needy brothers and sisters. This gospel also opens our eyes once again, and makes us see life through the eyes of the needy. 

This story is a great one because it applies to our situation right now. It can also serve as an inspiration for us to make an extra step to help those in need. The gospel is also a concrete example of the 1st Beatitude which is, “Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Even after they both died, the rich man still wanted Lazarus to serve him because he thought that he was still above Lazarus; that he had authority over him. It was like the table was turned when they died, Lazarus was now sitting beside God and the rich man was in pain and agony. 

I also think that Lazarus’ brothers wouldn’t follow the words of Moses and the prophets because as Abraham said in the story, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”

This gospel passage is challenging me to take the extra step and help our brothers and sisters in need. A concrete example of this would be joining outreaches that student organizations have, and just helping out. 

Finally, if I were in the shoes of Lazarus and the rich, I wouldn’t be as greedy. I would be open to everyone who are in need. The rich man should have invited Lazarus to dine with him and Lazarus should’ve prayed for the rich man when they died, so that the rich man would also end up in heaven. 

Jesus is already helping us get to heaven, but why are we rejecting his invitation? We should accept it with open arms because GOD ROCKS!!

Regalado Jose Sr-A GOSPEL REFLECTION # 2

In our world today, especially in the Philippines, poverty is a common issue. Shanties can be found everywhere, and the rich don’t even bother. The gospel for this Sunday is a perfect reminder for us. It makes us realize that we, at times, could be the rich man in the story, and we are just indifferent to our needy brothers and sisters. This gospel also opens our eyes once again, and makes us see life through the eyes of the needy. 

This story is a great one because it applies to our situation right now. It can also serve as an inspiration for us to make an extra step to help those in need. The gospel is also a concrete example of the 1st Beatitude which is, “Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Even after they both died, the rich man still wanted Lazarus to serve him because he thought that he was still above Lazarus; that he had authority over him. It was like the table was turned when they died, Lazarus was now sitting beside God and the rich man was in pain and agony. 

I also think that Lazarus’ brothers wouldn’t follow the words of Moses and the prophets because as Abraham said in the story, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”

This gospel passage is challenging me to take the extra step and help our brothers and sisters in need. A concrete example of this would be joining outreaches that student organizations have, and just helping out. 

Finally, if I were in the shoes of Lazarus and the rich, I wouldn’t be as greedy. I would be open to everyone who are in need. The rich man should have invited Lazarus to dine with him and Lazarus should’ve prayed for the rich man when they died, so that the rich man would also end up in heaven. 

Jesus is already helping us get to heaven, but why are we rejecting his invitation? We should accept it with open arms because GOD ROCKS!!

Rexelle Piad's SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION

SUNDAY REFLECTION
By: Rexelle Piad SR-E

What goes around, comes around. Thou shall not do unto your brother what you don’t want done unto you. Thou shall be rewarded a thousand fold. There are hundreds of sayings that revolve around how our actions always have consequences, and though know and understand these sayings, we don’t really take it to heart. The gospel was about Lazarus and the rich man. Lazarus spent his years with nothing to his name, yet when he died he was accepted into the kingdom of heaven. The rich man, on the other hand, had everything he could possibly desire yet when he died, he had nothing. Though the rich man tried to repent his sins in order to enter the gates of heaven, he was refused.

We live in a material world. We study in order to get a good job. We work in order to get money. We need money in order to put food on our tables and put clothes on our backs. We’re meticulous about what we wear. We seek the newest technologies or electronic gadgets. We live in a world where money dictates how we live our lives. This gospel, in my opinion, has the capacity to reel back in what’s truly important in our lives. Money isn’t everything. Material things aren’t everything.

From dust and to dust we shall return.

At one point or another, we will have to leave the world we live in to be with our Creator, and we can’t bring all our material possessions with us. God will not judge you for what house you live in, what car you drive, how much money you make. God looks at how pure our hearts are. 

We have to be more conscious of what we do and how we treat other people. We have to stop being blinded by the consumerism around us and remember what is truly important in our lives: our family, our friends, our morals, and our God.

Rexelle Piad's SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION

SUNDAY REFLECTION
By: Rexelle Piad SR-E

What goes around, comes around. Thou shall not do unto your brother what you don’t want done unto you. Thou shall be rewarded a thousand fold. There are hundreds of sayings that revolve around how our actions always have consequences, and though know and understand these sayings, we don’t really take it to heart. The gospel was about Lazarus and the rich man. Lazarus spent his years with nothing to his name, yet when he died he was accepted into the kingdom of heaven. The rich man, on the other hand, had everything he could possibly desire yet when he died, he had nothing. Though the rich man tried to repent his sins in order to enter the gates of heaven, he was refused.

We live in a material world. We study in order to get a good job. We work in order to get money. We need money in order to put food on our tables and put clothes on our backs. We’re meticulous about what we wear. We seek the newest technologies or electronic gadgets. We live in a world where money dictates how we live our lives. This gospel, in my opinion, has the capacity to reel back in what’s truly important in our lives. Money isn’t everything. Material things aren’t everything.

From dust and to dust we shall return.

At one point or another, we will have to leave the world we live in to be with our Creator, and we can’t bring all our material possessions with us. God will not judge you for what house you live in, what car you drive, how much money you make. God looks at how pure our hearts are. 

We have to be more conscious of what we do and how we treat other people. We have to stop being blinded by the consumerism around us and remember what is truly important in our lives: our family, our friends, our morals, and our God.

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted...”

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Arvi Marie Sanchez Dacuba's Excellent Sunday Gospel Reflection

CL GOSPEL # 2 REFLECTION

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Lazarus, a poverty-stricken individual had nothing valuable in his life. Deprived by wealth and the comfort of life; to wait and to hope for any remaining scraps of food the wealthy man could spare him was the only thing that Lazarus ever looked forward to. The wealthy man, however, despite his exuberance of fortune and luxuries never spared the agonizing Lazarus. Not too long, Death had befallen unto the both of them and Lazarus; the suffering man had gone into Heaven and to Hell went the wealthy man. Who’s the one suffering now, in the end?

In our modern society, wherein wealth and power seems to be of great importance, has lost the once simple and peaceful depiction of how a Christian community should be. Instead of being sensitive to one another’s needs, our own selfish desires seem to reign over our responsibility to our neighbours in dire need. It has always been for ourselves first before others. Wealth, power and extravagance are our ultimate desires, and most of us remain numb to the sufferings of others. That is a clear view of the weakening of the Christian’s sense of sin, and also an example of consumerism (examples of factors of social sins) is this how we should show God proper benevolence? 

In many ways or another, we are no different from the wealthy man. There have been many people in our lives whom we have most likely turned down for help. A simple alms from a beggar could have been ignored. Our parents, especially, who keep longing for our respect and obedience, have been deprived of what they deserved. Teachers who work so hard and sacrificed so much of their time for us may also have been deprived by the proper gratitude that they deserve. These people are no different from Lazarus who deserve and need our help, gratitude and respect. These are concrete examples in our modern world that we should take notice and live through with the guide of this gospel. 

In the end, it was suffering and regret the perforated the castigated soul of the wealthy man in Hell. Because of his blindness and insensitivity, he never got to help the ones in need and instead, he ended up being the one suffering. He couldn’t turn back time, and it was over for him. Would we want to loose all our chances, and wait until it’s too late? There are many lessons, not just one, which we can learn from this gospel. 

First and foremost, was for us to open our hearts and minds to the needs and feelings of others. Not only being aware, but for us to TAKE ACTION whenever and wherever a possible opportunity is given to us. There has been a term coined for the modern youth of today called “The Generation Z” wherein the youth is described as insensitive and cynical individuals; the total contrast of what the epitome of a good Christian should be. However, we can change that and it is not too late. We can always have the fundamental option, that is, to convert from bad to GOOD.

The gospel also teaches us humility. We must realized that the gifts and blessings we have given by God are NOT ours but of God’s. We must give back what is rightfully his, for if we don’t, that is already a depiction of greed. We do not take everything for ourselves. We must share them, whether it may be wealth, talents, skills, etc. As a part of fulfilling the church’s mission (to be fertile, to multiply and to subdue the earth) They must be put into service for the greater glory of God. That’s what we were made for, that’s what we were born for.

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted...”

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Arvi Marie Sanchez Dacuba's Excellent Sunday Gospel Reflection

CL GOSPEL # 2 REFLECTION

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Lazarus, a poverty-stricken individual had nothing valuable in his life. Deprived by wealth and the comfort of life; to wait and to hope for any remaining scraps of food the wealthy man could spare him was the only thing that Lazarus ever looked forward to. The wealthy man, however, despite his exuberance of fortune and luxuries never spared the agonizing Lazarus. Not too long, Death had befallen unto the both of them and Lazarus; the suffering man had gone into Heaven and to Hell went the wealthy man. Who’s the one suffering now, in the end?

In our modern society, wherein wealth and power seems to be of great importance, has lost the once simple and peaceful depiction of how a Christian community should be. Instead of being sensitive to one another’s needs, our own selfish desires seem to reign over our responsibility to our neighbours in dire need. It has always been for ourselves first before others. Wealth, power and extravagance are our ultimate desires, and most of us remain numb to the sufferings of others. That is a clear view of the weakening of the Christian’s sense of sin, and also an example of consumerism (examples of factors of social sins) is this how we should show God proper benevolence? 

In many ways or another, we are no different from the wealthy man. There have been many people in our lives whom we have most likely turned down for help. A simple alms from a beggar could have been ignored. Our parents, especially, who keep longing for our respect and obedience, have been deprived of what they deserved. Teachers who work so hard and sacrificed so much of their time for us may also have been deprived by the proper gratitude that they deserve. These people are no different from Lazarus who deserve and need our help, gratitude and respect. These are concrete examples in our modern world that we should take notice and live through with the guide of this gospel. 

In the end, it was suffering and regret the perforated the castigated soul of the wealthy man in Hell. Because of his blindness and insensitivity, he never got to help the ones in need and instead, he ended up being the one suffering. He couldn’t turn back time, and it was over for him. Would we want to loose all our chances, and wait until it’s too late? There are many lessons, not just one, which we can learn from this gospel. 

First and foremost, was for us to open our hearts and minds to the needs and feelings of others. Not only being aware, but for us to TAKE ACTION whenever and wherever a possible opportunity is given to us. There has been a term coined for the modern youth of today called “The Generation Z” wherein the youth is described as insensitive and cynical individuals; the total contrast of what the epitome of a good Christian should be. However, we can change that and it is not too late. We can always have the fundamental option, that is, to convert from bad to GOOD.

The gospel also teaches us humility. We must realized that the gifts and blessings we have given by God are NOT ours but of God’s. We must give back what is rightfully his, for if we don’t, that is already a depiction of greed. We do not take everything for ourselves. We must share them, whether it may be wealth, talents, skills, etc. As a part of fulfilling the church’s mission (to be fertile, to multiply and to subdue the earth) They must be put into service for the greater glory of God. That’s what we were made for, that’s what we were born for.