21 November 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections
#OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist NOTE: Please click the Subscribe key on YouTube and press the black notification bell to receive the daily reflections. Or, open in YouTube for easy access. View and Like. Thank you. TOPIC: ARE YOU STILL EXPERIENCING THE TRANSFORMING LOVE OF GOD? First Reading: Second Maccabees 6: 18-31 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 3: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 Alleluia: First John 4: 10b Gospel: Luke 19: 1-10 Deep in our hearts, we all desire to become better persons despite all the failures and lapses we have done in the past. In our gospel today, Jesus reminds us of His mission -- that He came to seek and save the lost. Zacchaeus experienced transformation through his encounter with Jesus. This story affirms us that indeed, we can all change for the better through the love and mercy of our God. The transformation of Zacchaeus began when Jesus approached him, and continued because he responded by welcoming Jesus into his house. Jesus always initiates our encounters with Him. All we need to do is respond to Him, allow ourselves to be open to His transforming love, and then commit to live according to His will. St. Caesarius of Arles said, “God never deserts a man unless He is deserted by that man first. For even if a man shall have committed grievous sins once, twice, and a third time, God still looks for him, so that he may be converted and live.”. All of us are in constant need of God’s transforming love. There is always something in our life that needs to be changed for the better. May we constantly seek His mercy and make our lives open to His saving grace! This is the 1306th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings. [NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Lawrence Quintero, a member of the CFC International Council, as he brings us today's reflection. All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]
