RVA Daily Reflection

Family Matter

Author: Chrisma C. Bangaoil"Jesus, from a lineage of both holy and unholy people, reminds us that our families shape our faith—are we nurturing it or letting modern influences take over?"Reflection Date: December 17, 2024 Tuesday of the Third Week of AdventDaily Readings: Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Matthew 1:1-17
Jesus belongs to a long lineage of both holy and unholy men and women. He was brought up by a holy human father, Joseph, and a holy human mother, Mary.
We, too, have our own families. I belong to the fourth generation. I can say that my grandfather, Obal, was a good man. Everyone in town spoke well of him. He was a man of the Church. He had seven sons, one of whom was Alejo. I remember that, as kids, we were often referred to as the "daughters of Sir Alex," as my father was fondly called. It was in my family that I was nurtured in faith.
How are our families these days? Do they still serve as the seedbed of our faith, or have they given in to the stronger influence of social media? Have we handed over the task of raising our children to artificial intelligence? What kind of parents are raising children today, and what kind of children are these parents raising?
When we were baptized, we became part of a larger family—Christ’s family. As members of this family, we are called to care for one another, especially the weak and the lost. We are to ensure that each member is nurtured in faith and well-being. Many members of our family are hungry, hurting, sick, and in need of care and attention.
We belong to God’s family. May we strive to nurture faith in our own families as well as in the family of all the baptized, so that when the time comes, we will all rejoice as one big family in heaven with our Father.
A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Strengthen faith in your family, care for the weak, and live as true members of God’s family."

Our True Worth

Author: Chrisma C. BangaoilOur true worth and authority come from God, not titles or credentials, found in our connection to the Father.Reflection Date: December 16, 2024 Monday of the Third Week of AdventDaily Readings: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a; Matthew 21:23-27
When I was a young instructor, a senior professor approached me and questioned what credentials I had to be teaching English subjects, considering I was not an English major. I smiled at her and invited her to sit in my classes so she could see my credentials. She was silenced.
In today’s Gospel, the chief priests and the elders also questioned Jesus' authority, not out of a concern for the truth, but because of their arrogance and vested interests.
 We see much of this happening in our society. We place so much importance on paper credentials and titles. We scramble to entertain and provide the best accommodations and meals to those with positions but struggle to share a piece of bread with the ordinary person at our door. We look up to and prioritize those who dress well, have letters before and after their names, or hold honorable titles, often at the expense of those who have none.
Today, we are reminded that our authority, our credentials, or our real value do not come from the world— not from paper credentials, not from the degrees and titles we earn, not from our positions, not from the clothes and accessories we wear, and not from the associations we keep with those we deem to have authority.
Our real authority, our true worth and value, comes only from the Father, who is the source of all that we have. Without a connection to the Father, we are nothing.
A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Let us remember that true authority and value come from our connection to the Father, not from titles or worldly status. May we live humbly, recognizing our worth in His eyes.

Unlearn Biases

Author: Chrisma C. BangaoilLet us open our hearts to recognize Jesus in unexpected ways, beyond our limited expectations.Reflection Date: December 14, 2024 Saturday of the Second Week of AdventMemorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the ChurchDaily Readings: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
Many years ago, in my early 30s, one of my priest friends asked me to facilitate a Lenten recollection he had been requested to lead. He later informed the group that he would be sending someone else in his place. When I arrived at the venue, there were no participants yet, so I decided to set up the place. As people began to arrive, they saw me setting up the overhead projector and asked, “Where’s our speaker? Is he not here yet?” Maybe I didn’t look like a speaker to them. I was younger than most of them and was only wearing jeans.
Many times, we do not recognize Jesus in the daily encounters of our lives. Many times, we fail to recognize Him in the blessings we receive each day. Why is that? It’s because we have a fixed mindset, just like the people of Jesus’ time. We have our own definition of a Messiah. We have our own expectations of who Jesus should be and what a blessing should look like.
When we confine Jesus to our limited, self-serving definitions, we fail to truly recognize Him and the many blessings that come our way each moment. May we be able to unlearn and set aside our expectations so that we can truly recognize the Lord, who manifests Himself to us in more ways than we expect?
A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Let go of fixed expectations and open your heart to recognize Jesus in the everyday blessings around you. Let Him surprise you with His presence.

Unlearn Biases

Author: Chrisma C. BangaoilLet us open our hearts to recognize Jesus in unexpected ways, beyond our limited expectations.Reflection Date: December 14, 2024 Saturday of the Second Week of AdventMemorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the ChurchDaily Readings: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
Many years ago, in my early 30s, one of my priest friends asked me to facilitate a Lenten recollection he had been requested to lead. He later informed the group that he would be sending someone else in his place. When I arrived at the venue, there were no participants yet, so I decided to set up the place. As people began to arrive, they saw me setting up the overhead projector and asked, “Where’s our speaker? Is he not here yet?” Maybe I didn’t look like a speaker to them. I was younger than most of them and was only wearing jeans.
Many times, we do not recognize Jesus in the daily encounters of our lives. Many times, we fail to recognize Him in the blessings we receive each day. Why is that? It’s because we have a fixed mindset, just like the people of Jesus’ time. We have our own definition of a Messiah. We have our own expectations of who Jesus should be and what a blessing should look like.
When we confine Jesus to our limited, self-serving definitions, we fail to truly recognize Him and the many blessings that come our way each moment. May we be able to unlearn and set aside our expectations so that we can truly recognize the Lord, who manifests Himself to us in more ways than we expect?A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Let go of fixed expectations and open your heart to recognize Jesus in the everyday blessings around you. Let Him surprise you with His presence.

Judge Not

Author: Chrisma C. BangaoilBy not judging others based on appearances and following Jesus' way of love and understanding, we align our hearts with His truth and experience true prosperity.Reflection Date: December 13, 2024 Friday of the Second of AdventMemorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and MartyrDaily Readings: Isaiah 48:17-19; Matthew 11:16-19
Many times, we judge people by their looks or by the little things we know about them. Often, we misjudge them and end up treating them poorly.
This is the attitude Jesus speaks against in today’s Gospel. The people spoke ill of Him and John, basing their judgment solely on John’s physical appearance and Jesus eating and drinking with sinners. Their judgment was limited by their own mindset.
More often than not, the way we view others reveals much about our own condition. When we speak ill of others and fail to treat them well, we only externalize the evil lurking in our hearts. As we try to put others down, we are feeding the evil within. How sad! How miserable we become when we allow this to happen.
May we have a heart that listens to Jesus, who teaches us what is good and leads us on the path we should follow, as the first reading reminds us? When we attune our hearts to Jesus' way, we will experience the prosperity promised to all who hearken to His commandments.
A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Let us stop judging others and open our hearts to Jesus' teachings. By following His way, we will embrace goodness and find true prosperity.

Like Mary

Author: Chrisma C. BangaoilLike Mary, are we ready to respond with unconditional obedience, humility, and readiness to God's call? Let our hearts be open to His invitation to love.Reflection Date: December 12, 2024 Thursday of the Second Week of AdventFeast of Our Lady of GuadalupeDaily Readings: Zechariah 2:14-17 or Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Luke 1:26-38 or Luke 1:39-47
In today’s Gospel options, we read about Mary. The first highlights her unconditional obedience, while the second speaks of her humility and readiness.
Mary’s obedience was not blind. In the Gospel, we see Mary asking the angel, “How can this be?” However, her question was not one of stubbornness but of a desire to understand. When Mary said yes, it was with full understanding and acceptance. She was fully aware of what she was agreeing to.
Mary’s humility and readiness are also evident when she hastily goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. The news of her bearing a Savior did not change her. She remained quick to act and do what was needed.
Are we like Mary in our obedience, readiness, and humility? Or is our obedience conditional, our readiness half-hearted, and our humility selective? Does our obedience come with a price?
Today, we are reminded that our actions should not be dictated by external pressures but should flow as a response to God’s invitation to love. Like Mary, may we always find genuine obedience, readiness, and humility in our hearts to respond to God’s will and calling.
A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Like Mary, embrace genuine obedience, readiness, and humility. Say yes to God's call with a loving and faithful heart.

Unburdening

Author: Chrisma C. BangaoilAre you tired? Find rest in God. Let go of what burdens you, and rely on His grace for peace and renewal.Reflection Date: December 11, 2024 Wednesday of the Second Week of AdventDaily Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30
Today’s Gospel is straightforward: Are you tired? Find rest in God.
But perhaps we should ask, “Why are we tired?” or “What are we tired of?”
Are we tired of things that truly matter, or are we weary of useless and senseless endeavors?
I often hear the question, “Don’t you get tired?” My answer is always, “It depends on your perspective.” While I do experience physical tiredness, it often disappears after a good sleep, a satisfying meal, or even a short break. However, I don’t feel burdened or fatigued by the mission work I do. What the Lord says in today’s Gospel is true: While the work may seem enormous and challenging, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. When we wholeheartedly say yes to the Lord’s call to work in His vineyard, His grace is always sufficient.
So, what are you tired of? Nurturing a hardened heart is exhausting. Going with the flow of the world is draining. Pretending is wearying. Resisting God’s call to repentance is tiring. The noise of the world is overwhelming. Sin is burdensome.
Today, we are invited to let go of all that weighs us down. Instead, we are called to rely on God’s grace and find rest in His loving embrace.
A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Feeling weary? Let go of worldly burdens, embrace God's grace, and find true rest in His love

You are Precious

Author: Chrisma C. BangaoilYou are infinitely precious in God's eyes. One's soul matters to Him, and so does yours. Let's find comfort in this truth and be inspired to touch one life at a time.Reflection Date: December 10, 2024 Tuesday of the Second Week of AdventDaily Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11; Luke 18:12-14
Have you ever fathomed how precious you are in the eyes of God? Look at the cross; that is the price God paid for us. You are far more precious than anything or anyone could ever offer you. This is the essence of the Gospel today. The Lord shows us how important each person is. A lost person is precious because the Lord will never stop seeking them.
When I consider the enormity of the mission before us, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and frustrated. It often seems like we are able to do so little. While we catechize hundreds of children and youth and reach out to a number of Catholics, I know this is just a fraction of the vast number of people we are unable to reach.
Whenever this thought weighs on me, I find comfort in this message: one lost soul is precious to the Lord. So, one soul at a time. Yes, one soul matters!
You are precious, and so is the person next to you. May we find comfort in this truth, and may it inspire us to reach out and touch one person at a time.
A Call to Action for Catholic Living: "Remember, every soul matters to God. Live the Gospel daily—love, seek, and reach out to one person at a time. Your small acts of faith can lead others to Christ."

Be Careful with Your Yes

Author: Chrisma C. BangaoilEvery day, we face choices. What are we saying "yes" to—temporary pleasures or Christ’s mission? Choose wisely, as your "yes" can lead to destruction or salvation.Reflection Date: December 9, 2024 Monday of the Second Week of AdventSolemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryDaily Readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38
Every day, in our waking hours, we are confronted with choices—to be or not to be. To do the right thing or to do otherwise. To give or not to give. To be silent or to fight back. To tell the truth or to lie. To be kind or not. The list is endless.
We encounter many very attractive offers that are difficult to resist. On the other hand, we are also presented with mission opportunities that are difficult to accept.
Today’s readings and solemnity show us the right reason to say "yes." Eve said "yes" to the attractive offer of the devil, while Mary said "yes" to the mission entrusted to her, even though it meant danger to her life.
How about us? What have we been saying "yes" to—fleeting pleasures and conveniences, or partaking in Christ’s mission?
Be careful with your "yes." It can either lead to your destruction, as it did for Eve, or to your salvation, as it did for Mary.
A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Choose your "yes" wisely. Say "yes" to Christ’s mission, even when it’s challenging, and find true fulfilment on His path.

Hold on to God’s Promise

Author: Chrisma C. BangaoilGod keeps His promises, but are we ready to receive them? This Advent, let us prepare our hearts to welcome Christ, trusting that He will guide us through every challenge.Reflection Date: December 8, 2024 Second Sunday of AdventDaily Readings: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6
I’m sure that at least once in our lives, we have either broken a promise or had someone break their promise to us. Only the Lord keeps His promises. We hear this clearly in today’s readings—the fulfilment of God’s promise.
What should be our attitude towards this?
The first reading tells us to stand and look. This reiterates the theme of Advent—be ready, be watchful. But this is also true in our everyday lives. Our attitude should always be one of readiness to receive God’s blessings each day. Do we recognize these blessings, or are we too busy with our own busyness and concerns?
The second reading reminds us of something very important: discerning what is of real value. How easy it is to be distracted when we do not hold on to what is truly valuable. When this happens, we fall into the trap of sin. We are exhorted to be pure, blameless, and righteous.
In the Gospel, John the Baptist speaks strongly about making straight our paths and repentance. God keeps His promises, but are we ready to welcome Him? Do we truly welcome Him? We cannot welcome Christ with an impure heart.
Making straight the path is not easy on our own. With our human frailty, we can easily succumb to the challenges we face. We can lose faith, get rattled, and become lost. The second reading tells us, however, that the One who began a good work in us will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. We are not alone in our journey. God is always with us if we let Him accompany us.
A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Let us be ready and watchful, discerning what truly matters. As we prepare to welcome Christ, let us make straight our paths through repentance and faith, trusting that God will guide us every step of the way.