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HOUSEHOLD REFLECTION GUIDE FOR AUGUST 2018

Theme for 2018: Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit

August Theme: “Let us do Good to All People”

REFLECTION ON AUGUST THEME

“Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do
not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially
to those who belong to the family of the faith.” Gal 6:9-10 (NABRE)

“You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces
thanksgiving to God…” 2 Cor 9:11 (NABRE)

Central Message:
God is good… God is generous! We all know the song. Those of us who are truly led by the
Spirit of God have generosity… goodness as part of who we are.

Points to Consider:
1. Generosity or goodness (Greek agathosune) is “uprightness of heart and life”. Goodness acts
for the benefit of others, not simply for the sake of being virtuous. It is also referred to as
the desire to give all for the other person's benefit without begrudging him. "Should anyone
press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles." Mt 5:41

2. Generosity is at the heart of God's nature and is often related to His steadfast love, kindness,
mercy, and patience. Another name for it is “graciousness”. This means our God loves us
freely; He loves us though we do not deserve it; He loves us even though we continually
refuse His love by our sinfulness. God’s goodness goes beyond what is legally right, goes the
extra mile, and gives what is needed and what will bless us.

3. God’s goodness is an instruction and guide for us. Psalm 34:8 says “Taste and see that the
Lord is good”, that is, we can learn to be generous by reflecting on God’s goodness in our
life. Generosity is not a quality we can develop on our own. "Every good thing given and
every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights." James 1:17 This
certainly includes a life characterized by goodness.

4. In Galatians 6:8, St Paul tells us to “keep sowing to the Spirit” which means to keep seeking
God and letting His qualities be developed in us and flow through us by the power of the Holy
Spirit. When we do so, we will benefit others. We will reach out beyond our own selfish
needs. We will be generous.

5. If we are to grow in the fruit of the Spirit, acting selflessly on behalf of others must be a part
of our daily life. Giving to the poor demonstrates generosity. So do visiting the sick,
volunteering to clean up after a community program, praying for an enemy, and confronting
someone about a serious sin. Expressions of goodness are as varied as the Spirit is creative.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do I live for others, sharing my Ts for their benefit? Am I satisfied with what I’m
doing? Why, why not?
2. What do I do when I see a friend in crisis? When did I last do this?
3. In what ways can I/we as a couple grow in generosity? How can the community help?

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to set aside my own wishes, my own desires, so that I may imitate
Your generosity, to give myself so that others may live.”

WEEKLY REFLECTION GUIDE

Week 1 - August 5 (18th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Readings: Ex 16:2,12-15 / Eph 4:17, 20-24/ Jn 6:24-35 – Jesus, the Bread of Life.
Central Message: The Lord invites us to aim for heavenly goals, not just earthly ones.

THIS WEEK WE WILL ALL REFLECT AND SHARE ON THE MONTHLY THEME INSTEAD
OF THE SUNDAY GOSPEL.

Week 2 – August 12 (19th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Readings: 1Kg 19:4-8 / Eph 4:30-5:2 / Jn 6:41-51 – Whoever believes has eternal life.
Central Message: We need to fully believe in the Lord to appreciate the Eucharist and its promise
of eternal life.
Points to Consider:
1. When the Lord said He is the bread of life, He used the symbolism of bread which for the
Jews, was essential for life. In the same manner, Jesus is essential for the spiritual life.
2. The Jews, many of whom knew Jesus or His family background, found it hard to believe in
Him because they let themselves be ‘misled’ by this familiarity.
3. We need to fully open our hearts to be able to accept the Lord and His teachings.

Reflection Questions:
1. When reflecting on Scripture, how do I react to its message(s)?
2. How well do I really know the Lord? Who is Jesus to me?

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, please help me to truly open my heart to You and your words of life.”

Week 3 - August 19 (20th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Readings: Pro 9:1-6/ Eph 5:15-20 / Jn 6:51- 58 – Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.
Central Message: In the Eucharist, the Lord invites us to be physically and spiritually united with
Him and be transformed into His character.
Points to Consider:
1. We need Godly wisdom (also called discernment) to understand and believe in the
sacrament of the Eucharist and avoid the mistake made by the Jews, and later sects.
2. At the Consecration, the bread and wine are transformed in substance into the body and
blood of the Lord. The Eucharist is not merely a symbol as some sects claim.
3. It is said, “we are what we eat”. When we eat food, we absorb its nutrients which
become part of our body. In the same way, when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we
become a part of Him and He transforms us to Himself. This is “communion”.
4. The Lord Himself promises eternal life to those who eat the “Bread from heaven”.

Reflection Questions:
1. Do I believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist?
2. How often do I receive Holy Communion? Do I truly feel Jesus’ presence when I do so?
3. How do I prepare, physically and spiritually, to receive Jesus in the Eucharist?

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, Living Bread from heaven, instill in me a great and enduring love for You in the
Eucharist so I may receive You often."

Week 4 - August 26 (21st Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Readings: Jos 24:1-2,15-17,18 / Eph 5:21-32 / Jn 6:60-69 - Choosing Jesus.

Central Message: Our decision to follow Jesus is made not only once but many times in our
spiritual life.

Points to Consider:
1. Many of Jesus’ disciples found His teaching on the Eucharist hard to accept and left Him.
There are times in our spiritual life when we will find ourselves in a similar situation –
deciding whether to follow God’s commands or go the way of the world. An example is
bribing to reduce or evade taxes.
2. Jesus’ query to the apostles, “Will you also go away?” shows the softness of God’s heart
when we, His children, reject and abandon Him by sinning.
3. When we are tempted to ‘backslide’, let us remember Peter’s reply to Jesus – “Lord, to
whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Reflection Questions:
1. How do I react when God’s teachings run against my desires and wishes? HDTMMF?
2. What things usually tempt me to ‘backslide’? How do I handle them?
3. How can I remain with the Lord like Peter and the apostles?

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, you came into this world to show me there’s a lot more to life than what the
world offer, and this is indeed Good News. Stay with me, Lord, in moments of trials and
temptations so I may remain faithful to You.”

LET US END OUR REFLECTIONS IN AUGUST BY THANKING THE LORD FOR HIS FANTASTIC,
RESOLUTE, PERSISTENT GENEROSITY!