January 22, 3rd Sunday of the Ordinary Time. ['Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'... Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. Mt. 4:12-23 (A)] Again and again, the Lord is inviting me to “repent!”, to be aware of my sinfulness and beg the Lord for the grace to change my ways, to beg for the grace of conversion of heart.

January 20, Friday, 2nd week in Ordinary Time [He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:13-19] By virtue of my baptism I am called to share in the priestly, kingly and prophetic mission of Christ. More so as a religious sister, like the apostles, I am also chosen by God to to preach, to proclaim and to be a witness of God’s Kingdom… Lord, thank You for the gift of vocation, for the grace You have given me to proclaim the truth of Your saving message. Help me to fulfill my mission to preach and to be a witness in both words and deeds. I offer myself to Your service Lord. Do with me as You will. Amen.

January 19, Thursday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time [Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. Mark 3:7-12] A great number of people were following the Lord with various intentions, to ask for healing, to listen to his teachings, to see his great wonders, etc, etc. As for me, I started to follow Jesus because I got attracted to him. In my search for life, I met several people who are dedicated and committed with their ministry in the Church and I came to realize, how come these people are very passionate in terms of serving the church? From this question, I began to follow the Church activities in our BEC and parish, and before I knew it, I started to get to ‘know’ of Jesus and was drawn to him until I found myself searching for my vocation in life and the rest is history…

January 18, Wednesday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time [Then He (Jesus) said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart… Mark 3:1-6] Jesus was described here having a strong emotion of anger and deep sadness to the hardened hearts of the Pharisees… I am no different with the Pharisees whenever I offend God by my sins, and failed to respond to Jesus’ call of conversion. Lord, help me to see any hardness I may have within my heart. Help me to overcome any stubbornness and self-righteousness. I beg for the grace of humility so that my heart can become more like Yours. This I pray, amen.

January 17, Tuesday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time [One sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" Mark 2:23-28] The Pharisees were very good at pointing out deficiencies in others especially in the words and deeds of Jesus and his disciples. Sometimes I am also playing like the pharisee. I criticize my sisters in the community, I look at their faults, their limitations, their weaknesses and their mistakes without looking at myself… Lord Jesus, for the many times that I misjudge, misunderstood, and find fault with my sisters and other people, have mercy on me. Increase my hope and love for them. This I pray, amen.