Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community

HOUSEHOLD REFLECTION GUIDE FOR JULY 2019

2019 Theme: Climbing Mountains with Jesus

Theme in July: “Honoring God with Our Wealth”

Sermon on Mount Topic: “Treasure in Heaven/ God and Money” Mt 6:19-21,24

REFLECTION ON THEME
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given
you besides.” Mt 6:33 NABRE
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then He will fill
your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” Pro 3:9-10 NLT
“For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have
strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains” 1 Tim 6:10 NABRE

Central Message:
We use the blessing of wealth to honor God by trusting in His providence, using our wealth
wisely, and generously sharing our blessings. God’s response will be abundance.

Points to Consider:
1. Management of wealth – defined as an abundance of valuable possessions and money -
is an important concern in the life of every Christian. While wealth by its very nature is a
temporal matter, its use has a strong spiritual aspect. Hence, every Christian needs a clear
understanding of the purpose and wise use of wealth.
2. Wealth comes from God’s providence. He is the only Source of our material possessions.
God gives us wealth to provide for our basic needs like food, shelter and clothing, and to
share with other people so they too can meet their basic needs. Our response to this great
gift is to trust God completely, as the Lord Himself taught in Matthew 6:33 above. This
response includes putting in order our priorities in life, ie, having a lifestyle of simplicity and
contentment. “Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have,
for God has said, ‘I will never forsake you or abandon you.’” Heb 13:5
3. When people crave for wealth more than they crave for God, they become slaves of wealth.
This is called ‘greed’, and is considered a ‘deadly sin’ because it takes people’s hearts
away from the real treasure – our loving God. (1 Tim 6:10 above). All around us we see the
results of love of money – crime, corruption, exploitation, poverty, etc. Yet many rich people
end up unhappy and miserable. Jesus draws us away from this dangerous trap through the
first beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” (Mt 5:3)
4. Wealth is a blessing of God to His beloved so they may in turn bless others. The example
of the early Christians is worth emulating: “…your surplus at the present time should supply
their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality.”
(2 Cor 8:14 NABRE). We know there is a big gap in the distribution of wealth among people
throughout the world. We can play a small part in easing this situation by helping the poor
around us. This calls for generosity and the willingness to share what we have. If we are
generous even when we have little, God seems to bless our finances so we are able to do
more than people who have lots of money. St John tells us, "I ask you, how can God’s love
 survive in a man who has enough of this world’s goods yet closes his heart to his brother
when he sees him in dire need? Little children, let us love in deed and in truth and not
merely talk about it.” 1 Jn 3:16-18
5. Matthew 6:33 also teaches the best way to use wealth wisely is by following “God First”.
Since all our possessions come from God, we ask ourselves, “How can I best use these
gifts for the glory of God? Then we pray on God to guide us. We can also follow these
suggestions: (a) Live simply; (b) Set aside a fixed part of our income as our Tithing to God
for love offerings, donations, etc.; (c) Live within our means - use a budget; (d) Distinguish
between our needs and wants – the latter should be sacrificed when our budget is limited.

Reflection Questions:
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how do I rate my practice of the principle “God First” in managing my
wealth? What will I do about it?
2. How can I be a more effective steward of the financial blessings God has entrusted to me?
When will I begin?

Prayer: “Lord, please help me and my family to honor You in managing our financial blessings.”

WEEKLY REFLECTION GUIDE

Week 1 - July 7 (14th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Readings: Is 66:10-14c / Gal 6:14-18 / Lk 10:1-12,17-20 – Jesus sends out the disciples.
“Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” v 3
Reflection:
The gospel talks about the first missionary organization that Jesus established in the early times.
He sent his disciples on a mission. They obeyed what Jesus instructed them to do. They went back to
their “mission director” with joy in their hearts: “The seventy-two returned rejoicing…” (v 17).
Like the apostles, each of us is sent on a mission. We can be partners in the mission of Jesus
to make this world a better place. Our missionary destination may be the very place where we are now.
As parents, our mission is to take good care of the family that God has blessed us with. We do this by
telling our experiences of God to the children and teaching them the truths of the Christian faith. As
couples, our mission is to constantly keep the couple-love burning so that Christian families may
become authentic witnesses of God’s goodness and love. As citizens of the Philippines, our mission is
to announce the good things that we experience as a people. However, part also of our Christian
mission as citizens, is to denounce plans or government programs that disrespect human dignity. When
we obey our call to mission, certainly, we will return to Jesus full of gladness and rejoicing.
Reflection Questions:
1. Today, what is God telling me to do as my mission?
2. What missionary task am I called to do for the Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community?
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to listen attentively to Your call to serve You in the
“mission”. Amen.
Week 2 - July 14 (15th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Readings: Dt 30:10-14/Col 1:15-20/Lk 10:25-37 – Parable of the Good Samaritan.

“Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim? He answered,
‘The one who treated him with mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” v 36-37
Reflection:
In Jesus’ time, a Jew’s neighbor was someone who was a fellow Jew; someone who belonged
to his religion; someone who was part of the Jewish race. In other words, race and religion were the
basis for considering someone as a neighbor. However, Jesus wanted His fellow Jews to go beyond
the ordinary and popular understanding of a neighbor. Jesus taught that a neighbor was someone who
expresses his love for others not just in words but also in deed regardless of race, religion or clan.
As Filipinos, our concept of neighbor may be similar to the Jewish notion. A neighbor for us
maybe those who are close to us or who belong to our family or who live near our house, or with whom
we associate ourselves, or our fellow Catholics. But Jesus wants us to embrace the new notion of
neighbor that He taught the Jews then. Today, Jesus challenges us to establish communion with others
no matter their race or background. Being a neighbor means loving both in words and in deed the
people who are in dire need of our active presence. Being a neighbor means helping someone without
expecting something in return.
Reflection Questions:
1. How have I been a neighbor to other people? How does this make me feel?
2. How can I promote Jesus’ concept of neighbor? Our community?
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, open my senses to discover the needs of others and grant me the grace to
help them in joy. Amen.”

Week 3 - July 21 (16th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Readings: Gn 18:1-10a / Col 1:24-28 / Lk 10:38-42 - Martha and Mary.

“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken
from her.” v 42
Reflection:
Mary sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to Him. She did so not just to rest or avoid the
household chores. She was there because she felt and recognized that Jesus was the “One” she
needed in her life. Mary represents every Christian who longs and desires to experience God and be
with Him. In Jesus, Mary discovered what every human being needs. In Jesus, Mary enjoyed the
liberating and healing Word of God. Mary decided to listen because she felt the transforming power of
the Word of God. No wonder, Jesus said that she has chosen the better part.
In our Christian life, there is no better option than to choose Jesus. Choosing Jesus is listening
to His words that do not come from this world but from His Father in heaven. Choosing Jesus means
listening and living the values and principles He lived and died for.
Reflection Questions:
1. When was the last time I decided to choose Jesus over my selfish desires? HDTMMF?
2. What changes do I see in me, after listening to the Word of God?
Prayer: “Lord, Jesus, grant me the grace to choose You over other “seemingly” important things
that this world offers. May people see in me Your transforming presence. Amen”
Week 4 - July 28 (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Readings: Gen 18:20-32 / Col 2:12-14 / Lk 11:1-13 - The Lord’s Prayer

“Lord, teach us to pray…” v 1
Reflection:
In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches us how to really pray. The Lord’s Prayer starts with “Father,
hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come…” This statement is basically for God. Jesus teaches us
to accept first God’s plans and purposes before presenting to Him our various intentions. It means that
in our prayers, we need to surrender everything to God. This is the meaning of praying “in the name of
Jesus”. At the same time, we acknowledge the power of God who will do what is best for our own good
and for our future. The Lord’s Prayer also tells us to make a “U-turn” from making our personal intentions
the center of our prayer to focusing on the will of God. In this manner, we are being freed from a very
selfish prayer, and consequently are able to make God the center of our prayer and existence.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do I say my prayers, are they “self-focused” or “God centered”?
2. Do I see some connections between my prayers and my way of life? How can I say so?
Prayer: “Our Father in heaven, may Your name be held Holy through my words and deeds. Amen.”

*** LET US END OUR REFLECTIONS FOR JULY BY ASKING GOD TO GUIDE US IN USING OUR
WEALTH WISELY, FOR HIS HONOR AND GLORY. GOD BLESS US ALL! ***