21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A, Year II)

Community Word: Jesus, the Bread of Life, answers the needs of those who heed Him.

Theme: We heed Jesus when we proclaim Him, Son of the Living God.

Promise: “…upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”
(Mt 16:18)

Reflection:
“Who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15). Our answer to this question will determine the relationship we have with Jesus, how intimately we know Him and if we are truly His followers. Knowing Jesus means having a genuine relationship with Him. To know Christ personally means to get to know Him as you would a trusted friend. In friendship, you spend time with the other person, have warm and affectionate conversation, and entrust your innermost feeling to that person. In the bible, the friendship between the siblings, Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and Jesus demonstrates a very close bond between them, which can serve as our inspiration. There is also a testimony of an acclaimed veteran actress whose distraught life was transformed by Christ. She speaks of her intimacy with the Lord in her prayers and simply talks to Him most of the time.

Knowing Jesus is not only to read about Him, but more essentially to spend time understanding who He is. “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life,” (1Jn 5:20). Understanding Jesus is to know His words by heart as what the said actress does to possess wisdom and guidance and in proclaiming the Gospel. To have a personal relationship with Jesus is also knowing and following what He wants us to do. Before He embrace the cross, Jesus declares what He wants for us. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world…that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them,” (Jn 17:24, 26b).

To be with Jesus means being with the One who is love, light and truth. He wants to fill us with the same eternal, life-giving love that He and the Father share, a love that will endure long after this world is gone. The Lord wants us to be with Him! He wants our time, attention, and affection. He wants us to desire Him most of all, to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and be His holy people. Our words, actions and demeanor will show that Christ is in us as we become more intimate with Him. When He lives in us and through us, we will be like Him in our compassion, kindness and virtues. Thus, we proclaim who Jesus is through our very own lives.

Our Community Spiritual Director shared that, just as Jesus calmed the sea and waves in the Sea of Galilee which threatened to sink the boat, the Lord has never let him down in all the storms of his 30 years of priestly life. He has always relied on the comforting assurance that the Lord is faithful and cares for us always. God will show His power, faithfulness and love for us to end this present global crisis. The unassailable faith and profound relationship he has with Jesus inspire us to reflect on our Community Word for this month – Jesus, the Bread of Life, answers the needs of those who heed him.

All who are united in Christ and acknowledge Him to be Christ and Mediator will be under His saving grace and protection. As one in Christ, this is His promise to His Church through Peter: “…upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it,” (Mt 16:18).

This passage also instructs us that as long as the Church continues to be a pilgrim on earth, she will never enjoy rest, but will be exposed to many attacks. Therefore, while relying on this promise, let us learn to be always vigilant and prepared for battle against plots, schemes and machinations of the enemies of the Church.

Prayer:
Lord, fill me with Your love to foster a truly meaningful relationship with You. Let Your healing grace cover me, body and soul, so I may fully adore and serve You. Grant me Your infinite wisdom and courage in facing the difficulties and challenges in my life. This I pray in Jesus mighty name, Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. If you come face to face with Jesus and He asks you, “Who do you say that I am?” how are you going to respond?
2. In examining your life, if your personal relationship with the Lord is wanting, how will you deepen it?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
August 23, 2020 (Sun) – Is 22:15, 18-23/Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8/Rom 11:33-36/Mt 16:13-20
August 24, 2020 (Mon) – Rv 21:9b-14/ Ps 145/ Jn 1:45-51
August 25, 2020 (Tues) – 2 Thes 2:1-31, 14-17/ Ps 96/ Mt 23:23-26
August 26, 2020 (Wed) – 2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18/ Ps 128/ Mt 23:27-32
August 27, 2020 (Thurs) – 1 Cor 1:1-9/ Ps 145/ Mt 24:42-51
August 28, 2020 (Fri) – 1 Cor 1:17-25/ Ps 33/ Mt 25:1-13
August 29, 2020 (Sat) – Jer 1:17-19/ Ps 71/ Mk 6:17-29

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”