Bigger than Fears

The WORD today reminds me that my faith in God should always be bigger than my fears. 

They say that worries do not empty tomorrow of it's sorrow. It empties today of its strength. This is true in a lot of situations. There are a lot of bad effects of worrying. There are studies that show that worrying and stress activate bad cells in the body and weaken the immune system, thus worrying can lead to sickness. Not only that, there are people who worry too much that it can trigger a heart attack that can be fatal. And the gospel today tells us one way we can fight being worried. 

Faith in God should be bigger than our worries. 

In the gospel, Jesus said : 

"Do not let your hearts be troubled"

You have faith in God; have faith also in me

Do not worry. Have faith. 

Short but very powerful words from Jesus himself. Let us imagine Jesus telling us these words as we face life’s challenges, especially now with the corona pandemic. Jesus told these words to his disciples during the last supper. He told them he would die, that he would suffer, that he would be betrayed. Imagine how the disciples must have felt. Their leader for years will soon die a humiliating death. What would happen to them? Who would guide and protect them? These probably were some of the questions going through their minds.

In our lives, we face challenges everyday. Today, a lot of us are worried with this pandemic. Some may not be as painful or hard as others, but we should take comfort in Jesus’ words. He is asking us to have faith in Him, the Son of God. Faith that knows he will take care of us. Faith that submits ourselves to his divine will. Faith that allows us to die of ourselves so that he may live in us. Faith that would be the source of inner peace, knowing He is in control. Faith.

God is bigger than the pandemic. He has things under his control. We may not understand his wisdom and his reasons, but we should continue to trust in him. We should continue to have faith in him. We should continue to draw strength from his words, from his power and love. 

What is troubling my heart now?  Why?  Are the challenges I am facing bigger than God? Am I letting them block my view of God? Why can I not focus on God, his power and his love for me? How can I improve my faith in God? Am I praying to God to help me strengthen my faith? How do I feel about the pandemic? What is God reminding me today? 

May we always remember Christ’s words. Do not worry. Have faith. Let us remember who is saying this to us, as the first reading and psalm say – “You are my Son, this day I have begotten you” The only Son of God tells us this. Do not worry. Have faith.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend coming up, even if most of us are staying at home. Thank you for the very beautiful reminder to have faith in you. Lord, sorry for the many times I forget this. Sorry for the many times I let my fears, concerns and worries get the best of me. Sorry for letting the world drown me.  Sorry for worrying too much with this pandemic.  remind me always of your love and power. Increase my faith. May I always be sensitive to your love and miracles in my life. May I always be sensitive to your power in my life. As I face life's challenges, I will be stronger because of my faith in you. I know you are always in control. I trust in you. I know you are powerful, you are faithful, and you will continue to protect us. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

May 08, 2020

4th Week of Easter - Friday; Blessed Catherine of St. Augustine 

FIRST READING

Acts 13:26-33

When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath. For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab

R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

“I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.” 

R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

“Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.” 

R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

or:

R. Alleluia. 

And now, O kings, give heed; take warning, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him; with trembling rejoice. 

R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

or:

R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA

John 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”