Sunshine

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/042916.cfm) makes me think if others take delight in what comes out of me. 

We all have different reputations. Some are terror teachers and professors that students feel afraid to come to. When they teach, they bring students fear more than the desire to learn. Others aphave the reputation of being mean bosses. Employees are afraid to come to them. And some are what they call sunshine - people who bring light and joy to others. This is what God wants us to be. 

God wants us to bring joy and positivity to others despite our personal struggles and challenges. 

In the first reading, we see that the people feel burdened. There were unnecessary things placed upon them. It became hard and burdensome to follow God. But the Apostles wrote them. Gave them representatives, and explained what they just needed to do. And when the people read it, they were delighted. 

It probably was not always easy for the Apostles to be positive. They themselves experience challenges and persecutions. They have their own problems. However, they are still able to bring joy to others. This is because they are filled with God. They have the fullness of God's love, God's joy and God's peace in them, so it is easy for God to use them. This makes their actions powerful and positive. 

This is what God wants us to bring others.

There are a lot of negative people in this world. We cannot blame them. They may have experienced pain and challenges in their lives. These things may have changed the way they see others. Their pain made them hard and tough. This is why we should be the opposite. We should bring God's peace, joy, and positivity to others. Just as the apostles' exhortation delighted the people, our wrds and actions too should make people feel good, should remind others of God's love and peace and forgiveness. To do this, we should do as the apostles did - to fill ourselves with God. So what we would share with others is coming from God. This will make it easier for God to use us mightily. 

May we be challenged to be sunshines to others despite our own struggles and challenges. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to know you more. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I just focus on myself. Sorry for letting my hurts and pain change me. Help me be a ray of light to others. Help me be a sunshine. May my presence, words and deeds remind them of your great love, of your joy, of your peace. May others experience you through me. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

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April 29, 2016
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 289

Reading 1 Acts 15:22-31

The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:
“The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’“

And so they were sent on their journey.
Upon their arrival in Antioch
they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.
When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.

Responsorial Psalm PS 57:8-9, 10 and 12

R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 15:15b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I call you my friends, says the Lord,
for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 15:12-17

Jesus said to his disciples:
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”