Day 7 of Advent, 12/9/2023: The Laborers are Few (Mt 9:37)

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Mt 9:37-38).

Jesus instructs Christians to pray for laborers for the harvest (Mt 9:38) and for disciples to heal and evangelize others (Mt 10:1, 7-8). Matthew concludes his gospel by saying, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...and teaching them to obey everything" (Mt 28:19). Thus, everything that I decide and choose to do should be somehow related to evangelism, i.e., winning others for Christ and his kingdom.

• I pray that my life, lifestyle, choices, and morals may reflect Christ and the holiness of God (Rom 8:29; Heb 12:10).
• In my older years (Ps 92:14) I pray to live a life of repentance (Ps 51:1-4; Mk 1:15).
• I pray to learn and/or re-learn a life of prayer, piety and purity so that God can use me to somehow influence others (Ps 51:13), even the next generation (Ps 22:30).

First Week of Advent

Matthew 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6–8

Friends, today Jesus instructs us to pray for laborers for the harvest, for disciples to do the work of evangelization. We need to organize our lives around evangelization. Everything we do ought to be related somehow to it. This doesn't mean that we all have to become professional evangelizers. Remember, you can evangelize by the moral quality of your life. But it does mean that nothing in our lives ought to be more important than announcing the victory of Jesus. We should think of others not as objects to be used, or annoying people in the way of realizing our projects, but rather as those whom we are called to serve. Instead of saying, "Why is this annoying person in my way?" we should ask, "What opportunity for evangelization has presented itself?" Has God put this person in your life precisely for this purpose?

Day 6 of Advent, 12/8/23, Hail Mary, Full of Grace (Lk 1:26-38)

Most Protestants probably don't know (I didn't know) that Dec 8 of every year is the day devout Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

I'll start this Advent reflection with a prayer: I pray that Protestants and Catholics may love each other in Christ, rather than strongly denounce one another over differences.

"Greetings, you who are highly favored [Hail, full of grace]! The Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28). "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled" (Lk 1:38).

It is interesting that Catholics and Protestants stress different aspects of this very familiar Advent passage. Catholics emphasize Mary's unique calling and privilege as a holy vessel to bring forth the Holy Son of God into the world (Luke 1:28), while Protestants emphasize her godly submission, surrender and costly obedience to the will of God upon her life (Luke 1:38). Her privilege is the grace of God and her obedience is her response to God's grace.

As a Protestant it is hard for me to embrace the dogma of the Immaculate Conception since it is not stated anywhere in the Bible. Yet it is undeniable that Mary together with Christ have provided comfort, consolation and confidence, strength, stability and security to countless millions of sincere Christians throughout the last 2,000 years, including brilliant theologians, scholars, and countless evangelists, preachers, missionaries, church planters and martyrs. Though they pray to Mary (and Jesus), genuine Catholics believe that it is only the Gospel and Christ who saves them.

I regard myself as a pro-Catholic Protestant, as I am also a pro-liberal conservative. Some regard this as a cop out position by not taking a definitive stance one way or another regarding Mary. But I have a definitive stance: It is that Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life" (Jn 14:6) and that only "Christ died for our sins" (1 Cor 15:3) and forgives sinners (Lk 23:34), which Mary is not able to do and which genuine Catholics know, even if they believe the Immaculate Conception and pray to her as well as to Christ. 

Again, I pray that Catholics and Protestants may love one another in Christ, rather than denounce one another over differences—no matter how strongly and passionately they feel about the utmost importance they attach to these differences.

Day 5 of Advent, 12/07/23: The Storm Will Come (My 7:21-27)

"The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house" (Mt 7:25, 27).

Matthew 7:21 is one of the scariest verses in the whole Bible. What is Jesus' criteria for knowing or not knowing us on the day of judgment? It is simply our response to the word of God.

The rain, floods and strong winds are what happens in life. These storms symbolize all the trials, testings, tribulations and temptations that everyone encounters--sooner or later. I did not notice this before but the storms of life do not discriminate: it comes regardless of whether or not you obey God's word (Mt 7:25, 27). The only difference is in the outcome. Those who obey God's word will not be hurt or harmed by the storm in the end, but those who do not obey will crash and burn.

This Advent is meaningful because of the current storm that I am in. I know what God's word says. All I need to do is to obey His word, which is easier said than done during a storm. I pray to put into practice what I know to be true. I pray to trust God (Prov 3:5), thank God (1 Th 5:18), think about God (Phil 4:8), talk to God (1 Th 5:17; Phil 4:6) and talk about God (Ps 51:13). 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Bishop Robert Barron <wof@wordonfire.org>
Date: Thu, Dec 7, 2023 at 1:14 AM
Subject: Daily Gospel Reflection (12/07/23)
To: Benjamin Toh <benjamintoh@gmail.com>

Thursday, December 7, 2023 Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Matthew 7:21, 24–27 Friends, today's Gospel challenges us to act on the Good News. On what precisely is the whole of your life built? Your heart or soul is the center of you, the place where you are most authentically and deeply yourself. That is your point of contact with God. There you will find the energy that undergirds and informs all the other areas of your life: physical, psychological, emotional, relational, and spiritual. If you are rooted in God at the level of your heart and soul, then you will be following the intentions and commands of God, and you can withstand anything. But this does not mean that if we follow God's commands, the winds and floods will not come. In Jesus' parable, both builders—the one who follows the commands of God and the one who doesn't—experience the rain and the floods that symbolize all the trials and temptations and difficulties at the surface of your life. If at the very center of your life you are linked to God, the storms and floods will come, but they will not destroy you.  Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, PO Box 97330, Washington, DC 20090-7330, United States Manage Your Email Preferences .

Frail Humans Empowered to be Responsible (Psalm 8:1-9)

"...what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor" (Ps 8:4-5).

Psalm 8 is the first experience of joyful praise and adoration, after 5 consecutive psalms (3-7) through the dark valleys of lament and pleas for deliverance. After this brief but brilliant chorus of praise, we will return again in the following psalms to the darkness of pain and the anguish of brokenness. But here is Psalm 8, if for just a moment, darkness and suffering are driven away by the commanding vision of the sovereign God of the created universe and his unfathomable care for humanity.

Psalm 8 may be considered a hymn of praise or a hymn of creation praise together with Psalms 33, 104 and 145 as "Songs of Creation."

1. The sovereign Yahweh (Ps 8:1a, 9). The thematic framework. The central message of wondrous awe.
2. Yahweh's rule (Ps 8:1b-2). The creative power of Yahweh. Praise of God's majestic power and protection of creation. The glory of the great King.
3. Yahweh's condescension (Ps 8:3-5). Human frailty. Recognition of human frailty in light of God's creative power. The littleness of human beings. God's interest in humankind. Humankind's derived glory (Ps 8:5).
4. Yahweh's ruler (Ps 8:6-8). Empowerment and responsibility. Acceptance of divine empowerment of humans and their resultant responsibility. The greatness of human beings. Humankind's glory as ruler.

Psalm 8 can be summarized as follows:

• A Ascription of praise (Ps 8:1a).
• B The glory of the great King (Ps 8:1b-2).
• C God's interest in humankind (Ps 8:3-4).
• C' Humankind's derived glory (Ps 8:5).
• B' Humankind's glory as ruler (Ps 8:6-8).
• A' Concluding ascription of praise (Ps 8:9).

Consider:

1. The gift of the divine nature (Exo 3:14; Mk 14:62).
2. The implications of the creation of humans in the divine image (Gen 1:26-27).
3. The meaning of God's command to humans to rule over the earth (Gen 1:28).

Titles: Crown of creation (Ps 8:5). The jewel of creation. Wonderful care (Ps 8:4). How majestic is God's name (Ps 8:1, 9). Consider the heavens (Ps 8:3). The power of the powerless. The glory of the Creator and of humankind.

Fwd: Daily Gospel Reflection (12/06/23)

"Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.  Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over" (Mt 15:36-37a).

Bishop Barron's point in his Advent reflection of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is that if you give away what you have received, God will multiply what you give away for the satisfaction of others, and then you will still have plenty left over. He calls this the loop of grace. He says, "Jesus multiplies the loaves and the fishes. There is no better exemplification in the Scriptures of what I have called the loop of grace. God offers, as a sheer grace, the gift of being, but if we try to cling to that gift and make it our own, we lose it."  The converse is also true. If you keep for yourself all that you have received, you will shrivel up without blessing anyone else--not even those you love.

I know that God has given me much, yet I have not given away much of what I have received but kept it for myself and my future. Yet the little that I did give away, God has blessed beyond my expectation. Lord, help me not hold on to my life and possessions, but enable me to give away whatever is left during the few remaining years of my life.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 First Week of Advent Matthew 15:29–37 Friends, in today's Gospel, Jesus multiplies the loaves and the fishes. There is no better exemplification in the Scriptures of what I have called the loop of grace. God offers, as a sheer grace, the gift of being, but if we try to cling to that gift and make it our own, we lose it. The constant command of the Bible is this: what you have received as a gift, give as a gift—and you will find the original gift multiplied and enhanced. One realizes this truth when one enters willingly into the loop of grace, giving away that which one is receiving. The hungry people who gather around Jesus in this scene are symbolic of the hungry human race, starving, from the time of Adam and Eve, for what will satisfy. We have tried to fill up the emptiness with wealth, pleasure, power, honor, the sheer love of domination—but none of it works, precisely because we have all been wired for God and God is nothing but love. .

Day 3 of Advent, 12/05/23: The Mystery of the Trinity (Luke 10:21)

• My 2 thoughts and reflections and ChatGPT's rewrite for the 3rd day of Advent, 2023.
• If you'd like a rewrite of what you write, try out ChatGPT and share both, if you like, as I did below!

Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children" (Lk 10:21).

1st, the mystery of our Trinitarian God: God the Son, through God the Holy Spirit prays to and praises God the Father. How is the Trinity relevant and how does this relate to man and his life? My simplistic thought is that since we are created in God's image, we are also "Trinitarian." We have head, heart and hands, through which we have cognition, emotion and volition, and so we can think, feel and do things. Unless my Trinitarian self is in sync, I can never have peace and joy, i.e. shalom, a wholeness in the totality of my being. If what I want (heart) does not coincide with what I know (head) and do (hands), I will never have shalom--peace and joy. If I enjoy the world when I know I should enjoy God, his kingdom and his righteousness, I will not have shalom. Sorry for being technical and cerebral!

2nd, God hides things from the wise and learned, and reveals them to little children. My grandson trusts his parents (and grandparents) without any hesitation, doubt or fear. They don't know how to dissemble (a great word to learn!), how to be one way and act another. They are who they are. In that way they are not like "the wise and learned," who know how to present themselves in a positive light, even if that's not who they are. I have to always ask myself, "Have I represented to others who I truly am, or have I mainly tried to communicate to others something that I'm not in my inner being?" That's what I need to continually work on.

Here is ChatGPT's rewrite of what I wrote: "Jesus, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, expressed, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children" (Luke 10:21). Here are my reflections on the third day of Advent in 2023:

Firstly, contemplating the mystery of our Trinitarian God reveals a profound connection to human existence. God the Son, through the guidance of God the Holy Spirit, offers prayers and praise to God the Father. Considering our creation in God's image, we too reflect a Trinitarian nature—mind, emotions, and actions symbolized by our head, heart, and hands. The harmony of these elements is essential for experiencing peace and joy, a state of wholeness or shalom. Without alignment in our thoughts (head), feelings (heart), and deeds (hands), achieving true shalom remains elusive. When our desires (heart) align with knowledge (head) and actions (hands), we attain a sense of completeness, contrary to the absence of peace and joy resulting from pursuing worldly pleasures over a connection with God, His kingdom, and righteousness. Apologies for the technical and cerebral nature of this perspective.

Secondly, the idea that God conceals wisdom from the wise and learned while revealing it to little children prompts reflection. My grandson exhibits unwavering trust in his parents (and grandparents) without doubt or fear. Unlike those who may adeptly present a favorable facade, little children, in their authenticity, lack the ability to dissemble. This authenticity stands in contrast to the wise and learned who may skillfully project an image that doesn't align with their true selves. It prompts a self-inquiry: Have I genuinely represented my true self to others, or have I primarily conveyed a persona inconsistent with my inner being? This is an aspect I must consistently address and refine. 

On Tue, Dec 5, 2023 at 10:14 AM Benjamin Toh <benjamintoh@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear friends, This is Jenny's Day 3 Advent reflection. Please feel free to also share yours. I wanted to write one early but woke up past 8 am this morning! God-willing, I will share mine later.

From: Jenny Cook <jennycookubf@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 5, 2023 at 9:16 AM

My small reflection. In today's passage, we can hear an intimate communication among the triune God. 

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

Here we get a glimpse of the relationship among the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. Jesus sent out 72 to preach the kingdom of God in the plentiful harvest field. They joyfully reported to Jesus how God worked through them. Their simple obedience and joy of the Spirit prompted Jesus to praise his Father. God is pleased to reveal his love to the whole world. God is pleased to welcome those with simple faith to participate in his harvest work. God is pleased to reveal himself to the childlike. Lord, thank you for your forgiving, healing, and redeeming love. Help me to draw near to you in this Advent season to welcome Jesus anew in my heart. Use your harvest workers, including me, to share your love and grace today. 

From: Bishop Robert Barron <wof@wordonfire.org>
Date: Tue, Dec 5, 2023 at 1:36 AM
Subject: Daily Gospel Reflection (12/05/23)
To: <jennycookubf@gmail.com>

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 First Week of Advent Luke 10:21–24 Friends, today in the Gospel, we hear Jesus in intimate conversation with his Father. The passage invites us into very deep mysteries. Jesus addresses his Father and thereby reveals his own deepest identity within the Holy Trinity. He says, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." It is important to keep in mind that this is not simply a good and holy man addressing God, but rather the very Son of God addressing his Father. We are being given a share in the inner life of God, the conversation between the first two Trinitarian persons. And what are the "things" that have been concealed from the learned and revealed to the childlike? Nothing other than the mystery of Jesus' relationship to his Father, the love that obtains between Father and Son, the inner life of God. From the beginning, this is what God wanted to give us. Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, PO Box 97330, Washington, DC 20090-7330, United States Manage Your Email Preferences .

Day 2 of Advent, 12/4/23: Just Say the Word (Matthew 8:8)

Dear friends, 

This is the first time I will attempt to reflect daily during the 4 weeks of Advent following Bishop Barron's gospel reflections: https://www.wordonfire.org/reflections/ 

Would you care to share your Advent Reflections?

A Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his sick dying servant by saying, "But just say the word, and my servant will be healed" (Mt 8:8; Lk 7:7). He didn't think it necessary for Jesus to come and heal him in person by placing his hands on him, but to simply "say the word," because he understood authority as a centurion in charge of 100 Roman soldiers whom he knows will do whatever he says. He is the only person Jesus commended for having "such great faith" (Mt 8:10; Lk 7:9). [Watch Season 3 of The Chosen.] 

For the first 2 decades of my Christian life, my pastor gave me this verse as my key verse to help me to learn to live out my Christian faith practically. But I really didn't like the verse because I was trained to be a rational logical physician and scientist who makes decisions based on facts and reality, while faith seemed subjective, mushy, even unreasonable, unrealistic, or illogical. Thus, my faith in Christ was often weak, feeble and sometimes even seems to be non-existent. Yet when I lived by faith by trusting God rather than myself (Prov 3:5) and by attempting to put God first (Mt 6:33), God has guided and led my life step by step for the last 40+ years with countless blessings in every way. Though I am currently in a surreal unpleasant predicament, trusting God with faith that God is good (Rom 8:28; Gen 50:20), is virtually the only way forward for me.