Unafraid

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020615.cfm) reminds me that we should face life unafraid.

They say that the words “Do not be afraid” is repeated in the bible for 365 times, which is pretty much God reminding us everyday to not be afraid. We are afraid of a lot of things, and we worry about a lot of things, that is probably why God made his WORD full of reminders for us not to. And today, we are again reminded of that though the readings.

A lot of people worry about finances – of being able to provide for the family and giving the family a comfortable life. Some stress over it, and even get sick thinking about the problems and concerns. God tells us in the first reading not to worry. He promises us that he will never forsake or abandon us, so we need not worry about money and material things in life.

We may not have everything, but we will always have what we need, especially to do God’s work.

Problems and stress sometimes are the result of our own thinking. We worry too much, or we want too much. We will always have what we need. God will provide us, as he promises us. Problem is, we are never satisfied. We want more than what we have. We want what other people have. We don’t need a lot of money, or live in a big house, or have fancy cars, or have expensive gadgets and jewelry – these are all superficial things. We don’t need these to survive. We don’t need these to do God’s work on earth. We will not be able to bring these when we die.

God did not promise to give us everything we want, but he promised that he will never leave us or abandon us. May we remember to put things in perspective, and be unafraid in living, knowing that God will always provide what we need to survive, to work for him, and to glorify Him. As the psalmist say – the Lord is our light and salvation, we need not be afraid of anything.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another Friday. Thank you for being with me throughout the week. Thank you, Lord, for the reminder today. I am sorry for the times I stress myself thinking of what is to come. Sorry for the times I lose sleep thinking of what the future will bring, if I can make it and if I can provide for my family. Sorry for letting what other people say get to me and worry me. Lord, I put my trust in you. I hold on to your word that you will never leave and forsake me. I hold on to your word that you will provide for and protect me. As I do so, I will continue to live for you, and do your work in whatever way I can, knowing that you will always be there behind me. Amen.

Blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-

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February 6, 2015

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

Lectionary: 327

Reading 1 Heb 13:1-8

Let brotherly love continue.

Do not neglect hospitality,

for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.

Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,

and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,

for you also are in the body.

Let marriage be honored among all

and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,

for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.

Let your life be free from love of money

but be content with what you have,

for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.

Thus we may say with confidence:

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.

Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9abc

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life’s refuge;

of whom should I be afraid?

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart will not fear;

Though war be waged upon me,

even then will I trust.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

For he will hide me in his abode

in the day of trouble;

He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,

he will set me high upon a rock.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Your presence, O LORD, I seek.

Hide not your face from me;

do not in anger repel your servant.

You are my helper: cast me not off.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Alleluia See Lk 8:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart,

and yield a harvest through perseverance.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 6:14-29

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,

and people were saying,

“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;

That is why mighty powers are at work in him.”

Others were saying, “He is Elijah”;

still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”

But when Herod learned of it, he said,

“It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”

Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison

on account of Herodias,

the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.

John had said to Herod,

“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Herodias harbored a grudge against him

and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.

Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,

and kept him in custody.

When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,

yet he liked to listen to him.

Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,

gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,

and the leading men of Galilee.

His own daughter came in and performed a dance

that delighted Herod and his guests.

The king said to the girl,

“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”

He even swore many things to her,

“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,

even to half of my kingdom.”

She went out and said to her mother,

“What shall I ask for?”

Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”

The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,

“I want you to give me at once on a platter

the head of John the Baptist.”

The king was deeply distressed,

but because of his oaths and the guests

he did not wish to break his word to her.

So he promptly dispatched an executioner

with orders to bring back his head.

He went off and beheaded him in the prison.

He brought in the head on a platter

and gave it to the girl.

The girl in turn gave it to her mother.

When his disciples heard about it,

they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb