Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community

HOUSEHOLD REFLECTION GUIDE FOR JUNE 2019

2019 Theme: Climbing Mountains with Jesus

Theme in June: “Discipling the Next Generation”

Sermon on Mount Topic: Salt and Light Mt 5:13-16; Tree Known for its Fruit Lk 6:43-45
Subtitle: “Raising Christian children”

REFLECTION ON THEME
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… Your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Mt 5:13-14,16 NABRE
“A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. You can
tell what a tree is like by the fruit it produces." Lk 6:43-44 CEV
“Train up a child in the way he should go, teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his
abilities and talents. Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Pro 22:6 AMP
Central Message:
We can help bring the next generation to God by reaching out to understand, respect and truly
love them.

Points to Consider:
1. A Christian couple’s main duty apart from deepening their relationship, is to raise their
children in a Christian manner. This is called Christian parenting and its ultimate goal is to
help our kids become capable, responsible, loving adults, and Jesus followers. Hence, the
term “discipling”.
2. Christian parenting has to deal with the “generation gap” – the differences in opinions,
beliefs, lifestyle, tastes, and other socio-cultural norms between older and younger age
groups (please refer to table on page 2). Of particular interest is the gap in moral values,
views on family and relationships, and on religion. This is aptly described in the song
“Father and Son” by Cat Stevens.
3. As the older generation, we need to accept the “gap” as a given and reach out to try and
understand the young generation’s views instead of trying to impose our own This might
turn the “gap” into a “war”. When we discover what makes a Gen Y’er or Z’er tick, their likes
and views, etc, it will be easier to respect and go on loving them. This will enable us to
influence and guide them. But first, let’s appreciate that the “tree” referred to in Luke 6:44
has produced quite a different fruit altogether. This entails a lot of learning on our part.
4. Technology is the big difference. Any individual born in the 21st century is ruled by
technology on a day-to-day basis. The access to information and instant communications
influences the youth’s attitudes, values and decisions, for better or worse, sometimes to the
exclusion of parents and elders. Parents have to learn how to train their children to use
technology wisely, and not just leave them with their gadgets or totally ban gadgets, the
opposite. For starters, parenting experts recommend to define and set boundaries on the
use of gadgets not only by children but parents too. This is modern Matthew 5:13-16. More
importantly, we need to learn how to use technology to strengthen the family.
 5. Discipling’s primary aim is to teach the young that they are “known and deeply loved by a
great God who wants to have an intimate relationship with them as a true Friend”. To follow
Jesus is the fitting response to this truth. How do we influence the Next Generation to
believe? Baby Boomers and Gen X were taught religion mostly thru Sunday Mass, family
prayers and the sacraments. Our own experience shows this is not enough – we need a
real-life encounter with God to transform us into Jesus followers! We can try to follow the
same steps used on us for kids ages 1-5 but we will need a more effective approach for the
older ones who may resist ‘old’ practices or find them ‘boring’. Perhaps this can be
developed jointly with the youth in the community, other groups, and parenting specialists.
6. Finally, some practical suggestions for parents and grands: (a) Study and understand
yourself and your views/values, where you’re coming from, (b) Encourage open
communication with the young, especially on sensitive topics like sexuality, religion and
social issues, (c) Listen with your heart, and love them, no matter what!
Reflection Questions:
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how do I rate my relations with my children, apos, and the youth in
general? What are my strengths, my weaknesses? How does this make me feel?
2. How can I/we be more effective in discipling the youth? How can the community help?

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, You said, ‘Let the children come to Me’. Please guide me, my spouse and the
community so we can be Your partners in discipling the youth. Amen”

Table – Characteristics of Different Generations.

WEEKLY REFLECTION GUIDE

Week 1 - June 2 (Ascension Sunday)

Readings: Acts 1:1-11 / Heb 9:24-28,10:19-23 / Lk 24:46-53 - Jesus ascends to heaven.
“You are witnesses of these things.” v 48
Reflection:
When we were new in the community, I was struck by the transformation I saw in people. There
was this particular person who when I knew him before, lived a life of iniquity. He had reformed,
reconciled with his family, and was dedicated to helping couples in their spiritual journey. Such
examples inspired me to also give my ‘Yes’ to the Lord. I have never regretted this decision.
Before returning to eternity, Jesus asked His disciples to be His “witnesses”. Being a witness of
Jesus means a lot more than testifying about His goodness and blessings in our life, altho this is
important. It means showing in our life how Jesus is changing us to become a little more like Him
– loving, forgiving, serving – and in the process drawing others to His fellowship.
Reflection Questions:
1. I will recall my initiation in Pag-ibig, and the people who “witnessed” for me. I will pray that
they may carry on being Jesus’ witnesses.
2. How do I rate myself as a witness of Jesus? How does this make me feel?
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, I offer You my poor life which You have renewed by Your love. May I be Your
humble and loyal witness until the end of my life. Amen.”

Week 2 - June 9 (Pentecost Sunday)

Readings: Acts 2:1-11/ Rom 8:8-17/ Jn 14:15-16,23-26 – The Advocate will be with you always.
“Whoever loves Me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and We will come to
him and make Our dwelling with him.” v 23
Reflection:
The coming of the Holy Spirit marked a big change in the life of the disciples. They were freed of
their fear. They were empowered with charismatic gifts. Most of all, they began to respond to
Jesus’ call to mission. Such was the depth of the Spirit’s in-dwelling in them that they went to the
“ends of the earth” to proclaim the Good News, stayed the course despite many obstacles and
trials, and bravely faced a martyr’s death. Because of their great work, the young Church grew to
encompass most of the known world then.
We too were empowered when we received the Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation, and in the
LSS, when His in-dwelling was shown in a very special, charismatic way. The Holy Spirit enables
us to grow in His fruit so we can be Christ-like, and use His gifts in service. Through Him we share
in the life of the Holy Trinity. We too are called to mission. In our own country, research shows
only 15% of Catholics regularly attend Sunday Mass. What kind of relationship do they have with
Jesus?
Reflection Questions:
1. How have I used the Spirit’s empowerment in my life?
2. What can I / my family / the community do to awaken the 85% “sleeping” Catholics?
Prayer: “Come Holy Spirit, fire up and inspire us so we can work together to bring Your children
to Your fold! Amen.”
Week 3 - June 16 (Holy Trinity Sunday)

Readings: Pro 8:22-31 / Rom 5:1-5 / Jn 16:12-15 – The Spirit of truth will guide you.
“… when He comes, the Spirit of truth, He will guide you to all truth.” v 13
Reflection:
How sad to see that in this age of technology, truth seems to be one of the casualties! It is ironic
because technology comes from science which in turn is based on a study of facts and logic, ie,
the truth. From fake news to PR spin, to low-quality products intended to trick customers, to
leaders giving false hopes and promises, to unbelievers questioning the very existence of God,
truth seems to be taking a beating.
We know the Spirit of truth has been doing His job of providing guidance, but it is difficult to hear
Him in the midst of all the ‘noise’ around us. We need to search for His voice in the silence of our
hearts. Then we follow Him, “Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and in truth.”
1 Jn 3:18. The simplest way is to stop telling lies, even white ones. For those of us using social
media, we can make it a point not to share or repost any article unless we have personally
checked it as a truth. Difficult? Yes! But in so doing we can reduce the ‘noise’ and allow “the truth
to set us free”.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do I believe that truth is an essential aspect of God? How do I live/not live it?
2. What can I do to promote the truth in all aspects of my life?
Prayer: “O God, many times in my life I was guilty of defiling Your truth. I’m sorry. Please forgive
me and help me to be Your truth’s champion from now on. Amen.”

Week 4 - June 23 (Corpus Christi Sunday)

Readings: Gen 14:18-20 / 1Cor 11:23-26 / Lk 9:11-17 – Jesus feeds five thousand.
“Give them some food yourselves.” v 13
Reflection:
I am intrigued that the Lord asked His apostles to “give them food yourselves”. Even in our
modern age of caterers and food suppliers it would be a challenge to feed 5,000 people, not
including women and children, at a moment’s notice. Was Jesus merely testing the followers’
faith?
Then, a miracle! The five loaves and two fish that were “all they had” which they were willing to
give, provided enough food for the whole crowd plus some ‘take home’ leftovers. Clearly the
apostles learned the beauty of giving part of themselves (the food they would have been eating) to
others. This is real “communion”.
At the Last Supper later on, Jesus made communion a daily miracle for us when He instituted the
Holy Eucharist. In the Real Presence, the Lord gives Himself as food to sustain and nourish us.
And as He asked the apostles then, He also asks us to give of ourselves in loving service to one
another. Then a truly Eucharistic community can come into being.
Reflection Questions:
1. Am I aware of Jesus’ daily miracle of the Eucharist in all churches throughout the world? How
many times a week do I avail myself of this miracle?
2. How do I prepare to receive the Body and Blood of Christ?
Prayer: “O Lord of the Eucharist, touch my heart and enflame it with hunger and love for Your
sacred presence in the Sacrament of Your Love. Amen”
Week 5 - June 30 (13th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Readings: 1Kgs 19:16,19-21 / Gal 5:1,13-18 / Lk 9:51-62 – The seriousness of discipleship.
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere
to rest His head.” v 58
Reflection:
When we had our ME, I wrote the Lord in my “Dear God” letter, “Lord, tell me how I can repay a
little of the great things You have done for me.” I never thought He would take me up on that
promise! First came a call to service, it seemed quite easy as I took pride then in my management
talent. But the service became difficult as I was asked to share my life (and blunders) with
strangers. I had to eat my pride. When relationship problems in the community began to rear its
ugly head, I told myself, “Mahirap palang sumunod kay Lord!”
Jesus’ reply to the person who promised Him, “I will follow You wherever You go” seems like a big
turn off – be prepared to have no home, forget family ties, sacrifice filial obligations, etc. Was He
really looking for followers? The Lord was emphasizing the seriousness and unconditional nature
of discipleship: “If you want to follow Me, you have to give up your life totally to Me.” Mk 8:34-35
I was learning discipleship was for real men and women, not boys and girls. It is a life-long
commitment. Many times the Lord led me “where I did not want to go” like being a servant-leader
at the time I was jobless, having to work with people whom I had absolutely no vibes with, etc. The
beauty of it was when I followed Him, I learned new things about myself, made new friends and I
got to know the Lord of the universe better. I also resumed my career. Many times I would
paraphrase Peter, “Lord, to whom shall I go? Only You have the words of eternal life.” Jn 6:68
Reflection Questions:
1. Do I realize the cost of Christ’s call to follow Him? Am I willing to pay it? How does this make
me feel?
2. How can I help others become good followers of Jesus?
Prayer: “O Shepherd of my soul, come and take control. I surrender all. I accept all. Because I
love You, Lord. And I know I can trust completely in Your love. Amen.”

*** Let us end our reflections this month by praying that the Next Generation and
ours may truly grow together in harmony. ***