WSC Reflection Guide January 2025

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST IS OUR GUIDE AS PILGRIMS OF HOPE

BUKÁS LOÓB SA DIYÓS Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

Reflection for January 2025 (Liturgical Year - Cycle C, Year I)

Community Word:

God’s saving power is upon those who share the light of Christ.

Order: 

“Rise up to splendor…the Lord shines upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)

Reflection

God’s saving power is upon those who share the light of Christ is our Community Word for this month. What must we share or impart to others when we declare that Jesus is the light? 

It is written in John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the Light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.”  The metaphor used by the Lord in this verse is the light of His Truth, the light of His Word and the light of Eternal Life. It is the true Light where we will never walk in spiritual darkness. Jesus came as the Light of the world, thus, He commands us to be the “light” to others by our good deeds through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

In starting the New Year in January 2025, let us be inspired by the themes and promises for each week of the month, and clearly listen to His order in Isaiah 60:1, “Rise up in splendor…the Lord shines upon you.”

Our theme for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is – We share the light of Christ when we are generous in offering our time, talent and treasure. This message is parallel to the magi’s offerings to the baby Jesus where we are reminded to offer the best gifts we can share – our time, talent and resources, our very selves to Jesus.  God wants each of us to experience the true joy of being generous in whatever capacity, most especially in helping the lost and least among us. He gently reminds us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,” (Jas 1:17). As He has blessed us abundantly, we can always find something to share to our needy brothers and sisters. In so doing, His promise in Psalms will be manifested, “For he shall rescue the poor…and the afflicted when he has no one to help him,” (Ps 72: 12).

For the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, our theme is – We share the light of Christ when we acknowledge Him as the beloved Son of God. God anointed Jesus with the power of the Holy Spirit. During Jesus’ baptism by John (the Baptist), the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and God the Father declared from heaven, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased,” (Lk 3:22). This anointing empowered Jesus to do His ministry, to do good and heal all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with Him. He manifested His healing power to everyone who had deep and genuine faith.  And as we open the eyes of our heart, believe in Jesus and in His healing grace, we must keep our faith forever and believe in His promise, “…upon whom I have put my spirit, he shall bring forth justice to the nations,” (Is 42: 1b).

For the Feast of the Sto. Nino (Philippines), our theme is – We share the light of Christ when we trust and obey like a child. Having a child-like faith in our God is truly a humbling experience, yet, will make us pleasing and more delightful in His sight. Among the many characteristics of a child we should emulate is being simple, trusting, dependent, obedient and joyful. We are to trust without hesitancy, oblivious to danger and fearless knowing that even in the darkest hour, our Father will not forsake us.  Simplicity means being transparent and not hiding behind a mask of our insecurities and weaknesses. To be dependent means not to worry but have the confidence that everything is going to be okay. We are to be joyful at all times whatever our circumstance may be. And like Jesus in the gospel, we are to follow and obey our parents. Hence, to be child-like will assure us that, “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory…give you a spirit of wisdom & revelation resulting in knowledge of him” (Eph 1: 17).

For the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (International), our theme is – We share the light of Christ when we value the sanctity of marriage. The miracle at the wedding at Cana, where Jesus changed water into wine is not just about Jesus performing a miracle. In a profound sense, He wants us to realize that marriage is something sacred and that the couple deserve only the best.  Sacramental marriage is a cause for celebration and rejoicing because a man and woman will be united as one in Christ, just like how Jesus is the bridegroom and we are His bride. His promise in Isaiah 62: 5b is, “As the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall your God rejoice in you.”

Lastly, our theme for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time is - We share the light of Christ when we minister to the poor.  We are told that whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed. Our theme reminds us of the importance of generosity and charity. We are children of only one Father in heaven called to build one body and fold in Christ; whatever we have is not for us to keep but to share. As we care for others and share, especially to the last, the least and the lost, we will reap God’s promise, “…if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy,” (1 Cor 12:26b). 

Prayer

Father God, help us to start the New Year with much hope for Your grace and blessing. May we realize that true abundance flows not just in receiving Your favors but in deeply caring and sharing for others. Guide us to embrace all our the joys and challenges in this Jubilee Year of hope and forgiveness, knowing that as we align our will to Yours, Your light will faithfully guide our steps and transform our journey in Your unfailing love. Amen.

Directions:

1. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all whom you are called to evangelize.

2. Let our actions be guided by the God’s daily word.

3. Let the young members be active in word sharing and community activities.

Sunday Readings:   (Cycle C - Year I)

January 5, 2025                Is 60:1-6/ Ps 72:1, 2, 7, 8, 10-13/ Eph 3:2, 3, 5, 6/ Mt 2:1-12

January 12, 2025              Is 42:1-4, 6-7/ Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10/ Acts 10:34-38/ Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

January 19, 2025 (Phil)    Is 9:1-6/ Ps 98:1-6/ Eph 1:3-6, 15-18/ Lk 2:41-52

January 19, 2025 (Int’l)    Is 62:1-5/ Ps 96:1-3, 7-10/ 1Cor 12:4-11/ Jn 2:1-11

January 26, 2025              Neh 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10/Ps 19:8, 9-10, 15/1Cor 12:12-30/Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

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    BUKÁS LOÓB sa DIYÓS Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

COMMUNITY WORD FOR JANUARY 2025

(WORD, THEMES AND PROMISES)

READINGS   (Cycle C, Year I)

January 5, 2025                Is 60:1-6/ Ps 72:1, 2, 7, 8, 10-13/ Eph 3:2, 3, 5, 6/ Mt 2:1-12

January 12, 2025              Is 42:1-4, 6-7/ Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10/ Acts 10:34-38/ Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

January 19, 2025 (Phil)    Is 9:1-6/ Ps 98:1-6/ Eph 1:3-6, 15-18/ Lk 2:41-52

January 19, 2025 (Int’l)    Is 62:1-5/ Ps 96:1-3, 7-10/ 1Cor 12:4-11/ Jn 2:1-11

January 26, 2025              Neh 8:2-4, 5, 6, 8-10/ Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15/ 1 Cor 12:12-30/Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

COMMUNITY WORD

God’s saving power is upon those who share the light of Christ.

ORDER  

“Rise up in splendor… the Lord shines upon you.” (Is 60:1)

PROPHECIES:

1. May My love for you radiate to others.

2. I am sending you to be My light in the dark areas of this world.

3. As you are led by My light, let others come to Me.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

2. Let our actions be guided by the daily God’s word.

3. Let the young members be active in word sharing and community activities.

THEMES AND PROMISES

Week 1 (Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord)

Theme: We share the light of Christ when we are generous in offering our time, talent and treasure.

Promise: “For he shall rescue the poor… and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.” (Ps 72:12)

Week 2 (Feast of the Baptism of the Lord)

Theme: We share the light of Christ when we acknowledge Him as the beloved Son of God.

Promise: “…upon whom I have put my spirit, he shall bring forth justice to the nations.” (Is 42:1b)

Week 3 (Feast of the Sto. Nino - Philippines)

Theme: We share the light of Christ when we trust and obey like a child.                                    

Promise: “… the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory … give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.” (Eph 1:17)

Week 3 (2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - International)

Theme: We share the light of Christ when we value the sanctity of marriage.

Promise: “As the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall your God rejoice in you.” (Is 62:5b)

Week 4 (3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Theme: We share the light of Christ when we minister to the poor, the oppressed and the sick.

Promise: “… if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” (1Cor 12:26b)     

COUNCIL OF SERVANT LEADERS

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HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL BLD MEMBERS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS!!!

Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16