When Faith Is Enough

Genesis 18:1-15
Luke 1:46-50, 53-55
Matthew 8:5-17

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” - Matthew 8:8

Her mouth is full of sores, an allergic reaction to a cheap and less known brand of toothpaste. She is jobless and cannot afford her usual brand of toothpaste. For a week, she bears the pain. Her sister offers to bring her to the doctor.

She agrees, but on the morning of her appointment with the doctor, she attends the morning Mass. She surrenders everything to the Lord - her search for a job, her present illness, her children, her husband.

During the consecration, she feels a different kind of peace. And when she utters the words, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed,” she once more puts her entire life in God’s hands.

She lines up for communion, receives the Body of Christ, and as soon as she returns to her seat, a warm feeling envelops her. In her heart, she knows God is healing her that very moment.

She goes home, instead of proceeding to the doctor’s clinic. Her sores are gone. Her faith has healed her. Tess VA.

Reflection: Do you trust God’s word, enough to bank on it in times of hardship?

Lord, strengthen my faith in Your Word.

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome, pray for us.

Righteous

Acts 12:1-11
Psalm 34:2-9
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17:18
Matthew 16:13-19

I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7

I was the one who made arrangements for my dads interment. I went to the office of the Memorial Park to settle our dues, which included the payment for the marker. I was asked by the office staff to choose the design for the marker - the font to be used, the layout and epitaph. The staff showed me a list of possible epitaphs but they were so common and ordinary. She told me that I could make my own.

It took me several weeks before I was able to choose the perfect epitaph for my dad’s marker. I wanted it to be special - one that would best described how he lived his life. Out of the many Bible verses, I chose the verse from 2 Timothy 4:7. I didn’t understand then why I keep coming back the this verse.

These were the words spoken by Paul as he neared the end of his life. Paul had been faithful to his call. He faced his death calmly, knowing he would be rewarded in heaven. My dad may not be like Paul but I can confidently say that he had lived a righteous life.

Before I forget. Today’s second reading was also the same reading on the day my father died - June 29, 2004. Today is his third death anniversary. Judith C.

Reflection: Are you keeping the faith?

When I reach the end of the road, may I look back and be confident that I lived a righteous life.

Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles and martyrs, pray for us.

Still Listening

Genesis 16:1-12, 15-16
Psalm 106:1-5
Matthew 7:21-29 or John 17:20-26

“…anyone who hears these words of mine and acts accordingly is like a wise man.” - Matthew 7:24

One of my favorite Christian bands, Third Day, sang a song called “Still Listening.” My favorite line in the song is “I thought I heard you shout, but then I figured out that all along You’re whispering to me… and I’m still listening.”

The song is about looking for God all over the place and not finding Him, until you listen to the quiet whisper in your heart to hear His voice. I like the picture that this paints - that God chooses to whisper more than to shout.

Because I’m a loud person, I’m used to loud voices. I keep envisioning God as the God portrayed on TV - a big voice thundering the heaven, the kind that would make your knees tremble and cause you to obey at once. Imagining Him whispering is hard! God, can’t you just shout it out?

Maybe God chooses to whisper because He knows it would be hard to compete with all the loud things I’ve surrounded myself with. Maybe He knows that I need a lesson on listening. And maybe He knows that if He whispers to my heart, it would be the voice I would be obeying. Tina M.

Let us learn to be silent enough to hear God’s whisper.

Today I will be quiet, just listening for Your whisper.

St. Irenaeus, bishop martyr, pray for us.

God Is At Work

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
Matthew 7:15-20

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” - Matthew 7:19

“Are we going to have a prayer meeting on Monday, Ma’am Tess?” My officemates asked. “Let’s just have a short prayer and then proceed with the business meeting,” I replied.

It was a test.

They’ve been used to having first-Monday-of-the-month prayer meetings for more than three years now. But the number of attendees had been dwindling in the past months., despite the fact that the meetings are held during office hours. Participation of those who attend seemed lukewarm.

I conducted a survey, and the results revealed that majority still want to continue with the monthly prayer meetings. I organized ministries to handle the different functions. Many volunteered. There were suggestions on how to improve the quality of our prayer meetings.

It was so clear that the Lord still had work to do in our office. “Lord, let your work bear fruit,” I prayed as I offered myself to be used as His instrument. Often, that’s all He asks of us. Tess VA.

Reflection: Even if things seem hopeless, God is at work. Just trust.

Lord, help me to always believe that You are present in everything and in everyone, doing Your work silently.

St. Cyril of Alexandria, bishop confessor, pray for us.

Lot

Genesis 13:2, 5-18
Psalm 15:2-5
Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Lot looked upon and saw… - Genesis 13:10

I remember having this discussion with a classmate in Social Services several years ago. We were grappling with how different groups “package” religion, its core message of salvation and its promises. Of course, Christianity was one of the more prominent topics.

He went on saying that, on one hand, there are poverty-fixated groups who advocate shedding yourself of all material things. These groups see money and wealth as evil and will do anything to smell filthy and identify themselves with the poor - given that heavenly rewards and riches await them n the next life.

On the other hand, you have the “prosperity preachers” who are so hung up on receiving God’s blessing that all they do is pray for ir and do nothing.

Lot obviously was a man who thought of himself first. Without considering how his valley choice would later be a bane given the lifestyles of his neighbors, he left Abraham with the rugged hill country. His greed and selfishness kept him from putting his family’s welfare and safety first.

Let’s start and our relationship with God. Once we have gotten this act together, a genuine desire for prosperity to enable us to alleviate poverty will come naturally. Then I guess the discussion on a rich or poor gospel will be rendered pointless. Roy M.

Reflection: What really matters to you?

Make us wealthy, Lord, in the things that really matter.

St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, priest, pray for us.

Projections

Genesis 12:1-9
Psalm 33:12-13, 18-19, 20, 22
Matthew 7:1-5

“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” - Matthew 7:3

“Projection, your honor!”

My friend, who works as a facilitator for psycho-spiritual seminars, humorously and teasingly drops this statement whenever he catches other friends venting about other people. You see, projection is one of those things we unconsciously do when we criticize those around us. Not in every instance, of course, but many times we “project” so many of our own insecurities on other people. At some level, what we don’t like about other people are what we don’t like about ourselves.

My friend calls perpetuating this kind of negativity as doing the “ABCs” - accusing, blaming and criticizing. These are common and easy scapegoats for the things that go wrong with our lives. It’s always easier to blame external circumstances than it is to realize that our lives are essentially the products of our choices. We point fingers at the traffic, the government, our bosses, our parents, our co-workers, the dog, the list goes on and on… It’s always something or somebody else’s fault, and therefore somebody else’s responsibility. Let us remember that responsibility for one’s actions is a mark of a true Christian. Cotics C.

Reflection: Have you been doing the ABCs? Your life is a product of your choice. Choose well!

Lord, help me know myself. Help me discover You by finding myself.

Sy. William of Monte Vergine, abbot confessor, pray for us.