The WORD Today reminds me that a great reward awaits the faithful servants of God.
I do not have strong lungs. I get tired easily. Probably because I have asthma, and because of my weight. I remember when I was young, we would go to the beach house in Batangas where you have to go down about 120 steps to go to the beach. Going down was easy, what's tough was going back up. I always had a hard time, and one time an older relative told me to think of something I want waiting for me when I reach the top. Food, drinks, or a toy. That encouraged me to walk up faster. And just as something like that could inspire a kid, how much more would God's reward inspire us?
God has a great reward for those who faithfully serve Him.
Jesus told a lot of times that there will be pain, persecutions and hardships as we follow Him. In the first reading we saw St Paul experience these as he preached the gospel to the world. However, he did not give up. Despite all the persecution and pain, he kept on going. He continued to serve God. In the gospel we see why.
Jesus told his disciples that even though they weep and mourn, that grief will eventually become joy. A woman's labor may be challenging, but as they say, the reward of seeing your child born in this world will take away the pain and replace the challenges with joy. This is true with what God will give us.
Eternal rewards await those who are faithful to Him. We suffer in this world, temporarily, but our reward will be permanent. It may not be immediate, but it will be permanent. And this should inspire us to keep going, to keep doing things for God, to keep serving Him.
What are the challenges I experience because of God? How do I feel about these? How do I react to these challenges? Do I focus on God? Do I trust in Him?
May we be inspired by Jesus promises and St Paul's conviction, and continue to serve God despite the worldly challenges and persecutions it brings us.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for your promise. Lord, sorry for the times I feel like giving up when experiencing pain and challenges. Sorry for the times I actually gave up. Remind me of your promise. Help me be faithful to you. May I glorify you and live a life pleasing to you and serving you. I continue to lift up our country to you. Help us get through this. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
May 22, 2020
6th Week of Easter - Friday; St. Rita of Cascia
FIRST READING
Acts 18:9-18
One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them.
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, saying, “This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews; but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.” And he drove them away from the tribunal. They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He brings people under us; nations under our feet. He chooses for us our inheritance, the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
ALLELUIA
See Luke 24:46, 26
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
John 16:20-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
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