Community Word: True Christian disciples rise up and search diligently for Jesus, the Truth and the Light.

Order: “Give to the Lord, you sons of God, give to the Lord glory and praise, give to the Lord the
glory due his name.”  (Ps 29:1 – 2)

Prophecy:
1.    Be guided by the gospel in drawing My people closer to Me.

Directions:
1.    Study the scriptures and abide by God’s word to grow in the knowledge and love of Christ.
2.    Be hearers and bearers of the word.

Reflection:

We begin the year 2014 guided by our community word for the month of January: “True Christian disciples rise up and search diligently for Jesus, the Truth and the Light.” 

How providential it is that our community word echoes the exhortation made by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines President Archbishop Soc Villegas, for the Year of the Laity, enjoining all of us to be brave, to make a difference, and to stand up for Jesus in our family, in our work place and in society (www.choosetobebrave.org).

In obedience to accomplish this call, our community directions for the month tells us to 1) study the scriptures and abide by God’s word to grow in knowledge and love of Christ; and 2)  be hearers and bearers of the word.

The first direction reminds us that we can never go wrong if, at the beginning of each day, we seek first God’s guidance in scriptures to check if our plans or undertaking are in conformity with His will.  The psalmist declares: “For He shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.”  And as we recognize God’s word for us, we are able to surrender to His will and obey His directions; and thus, we begin to grow in knowledge and understanding in the love of Christ.

The second direction invites us to be hearers and bearers of the word.  As proclaimed by Isaiah in 42:6, “I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations.”  And, in Matthew 4:19 we are told, “Come after me and I’ll make you fishers of men.”  Meaning that we are to be united as a community (“that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose” 1Cor 1:10) in our mission to spread God’s love in Jesus, whether it is comfortable for us or not.  A graphic statement made by Pope Francis should be our guide in mission, “…I ask you to bring the healing power of God’s grace to everyone in need, and to be shepherds living with the smell of the sheep…”

Where then, is our mission field? And how do we begin? We begin in our family, our little church, then, move on to our work place or to places where God is not known, by standing witness to the love of Jesus in our life through our humility and obedience.  Matthew 18:4 says, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

In all readings of the four Sundays in January, Jesus is introduced as the Light that dispels the darkness of the sins in our lives.  As we look up to Him, as we cry out to Him in times of trials and tribulations, Jesus sheds a ray of hope into our hearts and minds.   As for our country, the Philippines, experiencing the devastation of the recent natural disasters, our faith is once again tested.  Shall we lose ourselves in the mire of self-pity or desperation?  Of course not!  All of us are called to be like Jesus, bearers of Good News. We should all look up to that Star and He will guide us to the right path, the path of righteousness and truth.  We all are victims of this recent calamity because all of us are affected one way or the other.  And God, who is impartial, sees our individual hearts.  Are we moved with compassion to love and care for our suffering brothers and sisters?  How are we responding to His call?

Prayer:   
Lord, Jesus Christ, with Your great love and mercy, I ask for forgiveness for the times I was lukewarm or disobedient to Your call for me to love and care for others, to go out into deep waters so others may believe, repent and seek forgiveness of their sins. Bless me to be always on F.I.R.E. – fruitful, inspired, renewed and empowered – so that as I go to mission to stand witness to Your love and mercy, many will find and follow after You.

Reflection Guide:
1. What keeps me from reading and reflecting on scriptures daily?
2. What keeps me from praying to God daily?
3. What keeps me from being a good witness to my family and work place?
4. What do I resolve to do in order for me to grow in knowledge and love of Christ?

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