8 Living Water - September 25, 2015

PLEASE WEAR YOUR BLD ID EVERY FRIDAY

Living Water - September 25, 2015

September 25, 2015

BUKÁS-LOÓB SA DIYÓS • OPEN IN SPIRIT TO GOD

www.bldworld.org www.bldtoronto.com

THEME

We are open to God’s will when we do not al-

low sin to separate us from the love of God

and of one another.

WORD

Nm 11:25-29; Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14; Jas 5:1-6;

Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

ORDER

“Listen to their complaints. The cries who

gather in your crops have reached the ears of

God, the Lord almighty.” (Jas 5:4)

DIRECTION

Follow the precepts of the Lord for in keep-

ing them, there is great reward.

Be good witness to others, set your mind

and heart in his goodness, love and mercy.

Trust him with all your heart.

Do not stop people in proclaiming God’s

word and work.

Listen with compassion and understanding.

REFLECTION

The Spirit of God falls upon those who are

open to His will and follow His precepts. In

the First Reading, a young man asks Moses to

rebuke Eldad and Medad for prophesying in

the camp and not at the gathering of eld-

ers. Moses explains that once the spirit of the

Lord rests on His people, they are automati-

cally anointed to prophesy, and such anointing

is given regardless of where they are.

In the Gospel, the disciples tell Jesus how they

tried to stop a man from casting out demons in

His name. Jesus corrects them, saying “Do not

stop them, for no one who does a miracle in my

name can in the next moment say anything bad

Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

www.bldworld.org www.bldtoronto.com

2 Living Water - September 25, 2015

about me, for whoever is not against us is for

us” (Mk 9:40).

We, in the BLD Community, are privileged to

have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit

through our LSS. The spiritual gifts we were

given empower us, not for our own personal

benefit, but for the purpose of building up oth-

ers. Our mission is to open our doors wide, so

that more and more people can come to know

the greatness of God’s love, accept His mercy,

and be reconciled with Him again. Through the

Church, and the Sacraments of the Eucharist and

Reconciliation, we enjoy the fullness of the reve-

lation of God’s Kingdom.

There is nothing exclusive in serving God. Nei-

ther is it an opportunity for self-glorification or

power. Far from it. God will seek and exalt

those who humble themselves, and He will pour

grace upon those who acknowledge and repent

of their shortcomings and unworthiness. Sin

separates us from the love of God. And among

these sins is our tendency to be judgmental and

unforgiving of others. Judgement belongs to

God alone, and we can only receive forgiveness

as we forgive others. The Lord calls and invites

us all and we cannot reject anyone we perceive

to be a sinner, because we, ourselves, are sin-

ners. If we exclude others from the Body of

Christ on earth, God will also reject us from the

eternal Body of Christ in Heaven.

We have a serious responsibility towards the

flock entrusted to our care. “If anyone causes

one of these little ones to stumble, it would be

better for him if a large millstone were hung

around his neck and be thrown into the sea.”

In fact, he warns: “If your hand causes you to

stumble, cut it off. If your foot causes you to

stumble, it is better for you to enter life crippled

than to have two feet and be thrown into

hell.” Bad witnessing and poor stewardship are

pitfalls to watch out for. Could some members

have left our community because they were

probably scandalized or disillusioned by the

dichotomy between what we preach and what

we practice?

Finally, Jesus reminds us that kindness shown to

others will not go unrewarded. Helping others

need not be a grand or complicated gesture. In

fact, Jesus uses the example of a cup of water to

drink. There are many opportunities in BLD to

demonstrate kindness and compassion, espe-

cially through our mission programs. St. James

says that faith alone cannot save us and that

faith without good works is dead. Bringing oth-

ers to Christ means having a demonstrable faith,

which in turn means that even as we worship

and praise God, we should also show our love

for Him through our love of our neighbor.

Doing God’s will, following His command-

ments, strong faith and good works give us an

assurance that we are not far from embracing

His Kingdom. Jesus is very clear on

this: “Because you belong to Christ…you will surely

not lose your reward,” (Mk 9: 41b).

PROMISE

“Because you belong to Christ …you will surely

not lose His reward.” (Mk 9: 41b)

From The Globe and Mail: Lives Lived: Roberto (Bert) Santos, 74 - http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/lives-lived-roberto-bert-santos74/article26115283/?utm_source=Shared+Article+Sent+to+User&utm_medium=E-mail:+Newsletters+/+E-Blasts+/+etc.&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links

Living Water - September 25, 2015

6 Living Water - September 25, 2015

Living Water - September 25, 2015

4 Living Water - September 25, 2015

It was truly a September to remember….a 25th Anniversary celebration that was without the pomp

but with the wonderful pageantry deserving of a community that continues to make a difference in

this world. Indeed, September 19, 2015 was a day that encapsulated everything that BLD Toronto

was, is, and will be…..a day that captured the essence of what community is about.

From morning till evening on that joyous day, St. John’s Hall was filled with uplifting prayers,

songs of praise, exuberant smiles, tight hugs, sumptuous food, belly-aching laughter, big band mu-

sic, joyous dancing, youthful energy, elderly wisdom, inspiring talks, and never-ending stories of

sacrifices and victories from old faces and new ones.

Yet, in the midst of the sights and the sounds of the celebration and the joyous chatter of guests,

there were also nameless faces who cheerfully went about their work …….. unnoticed behind the

glaring spotlights of center stage. One of them was out at the main entrance as early as 6:30am di-

recting traffic. Eleven couples were in the kitchen preparing food and coffee for about 600 guests,

while 5 couples were busy setting up dining tables and equipment for the Praise Ministry. At 9am,

7 couples were at the registration desks with their hands full, deluged by a flood of BLD members

who came in droves. And all throughout the day, these nameless faces were scurrying here and

there to make sure that everything was in order.

There were a few minor glitches that day --- the flooding of the kitchen floors, the forgotten vest-

ment for Bishop Lagdameo, the long line-up at the dinner buffet table, the malfunctions on stage.

Yet, these mistakes did not determine the outcome of this memorable event, nor did it prevent us

from seizing this moment. For instead of the unfortunate flooding on the kitchen floors, we chose

to see the undeterred energy of those who worked tirelessly and selflessly to make things right for

everyone. Instead of the malfunctions on stage, we preferred to focus on the presentations that

highlighted our community’s glorious past and the promise of our bright future. Instead of the for-

gotten vestment, we took to heart the Eucharistic celebration that joyfully called our community to

oneness, and the Gospel reading on that evening from Mark 9:35 which says:

“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all, and servant of all.”

September 19 was indeed our moment --- a day that reminded us that we are all servants first and

foremost, and that the tie that binds us as a community is the grace of God that propels us to seize

that moment. It was also a day of thanksgiving and a renewal of commitments……..a time that we

declared once again that “We Are One.”

Happy 25th Anniversary, BLD Toronto!!!

BLD Toronto celebrates its 25th Anniversary By Mon Carluen

Living Water - September 25, 2015