To browse more spiritual readings, please go to: http://www.webprayze.com

By Bro. Bobot Apit  

   
Faith is not just in the mind or in the heart. It cannot remain there. It needs expression to let others feel its warmth and spirit.

YAHWEH EL SHADDAI, thank you for the Holy Spirit's gift of faith which makes us visibly alive in you! Continue to use us Lord in leading our brethren back to you. In Jesus Name! Amen!

M atthew 23:1-12 Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, (2) saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. (3) Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. (4) They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. (5) All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. (6) They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, (7) greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ (8) As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. (9) Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. (10) Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. (11) The greatest among you must be your servant. (12) Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Meditation by Fr Benny Tuazon

R ecently, a couple I know finally got married. I said “finally” because they had been planning for it for a long time. At least twice, their scheduled wedding was postponed due to hindrances. But I saw how much they love each other. Without their knowledge, I asked St. Alphonsus de Liguori to intercede. I asked him to pray to God to give them the courage and patience they need to sustain their love. But I did not stop there. I took every opportunity to talk to them. I felt that God was using me. They appreciated it and later they told me that my availability to them helped them a lot.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues to amaze me with His words. Here, speaking to the leaders of His time, He is still very relevant even to our present leaders. He knew that the issue of grandstanding, hypocrisy and thirst for power will continue to persist in man. His message hits the bull’s eye against anyone who saw titles, positions and places of honor not as opportunities to serve but a way to perpetuate their personal interests. And it is unfortunate that there has not been too much change in man even if this message was taught a long time ago.

Faith is not just in the mind or in the heart. It cannot remain there. It needs expression to let others feel its warmth and spirit. In the first place, it was developed from experience and prayer by people who gave witness to it. God’s revelation of grace, absorbed in faith and put to fruition, becomes a belief that others also benefit from.

There’s a story about a father who was informed by his son that a neighbor was asking for help. The father told the son that they should pray for their neighbor. The child answered back, “Are we not going to do anything for her?” Faith is life and life is faith! # # #

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU. – Bobot Apit

For past gospel meditations or to browse spiritual readings, you may visit the following:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=216458741502#!/home.php?sk=mynotes

http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com

http://www.webprayze.com