Faith Of Others

The WORD today reminds me that the faith of others can bless me. 

There are people in our lives that we look up to in the aspect of faith. We ask people to pray for and with us. There are people whose faith inspires us. And in today’s gospel, we are reminded that God can use the faith of others and bless us because of them.

Your faith can bless others around you.

People came and brought the man in a stretcher. In the gospel of Mark, it was specified that there were four people who brought the man. These people, probably friends of the paralytic man, had great faith. It was not easy to carry the man and bring him to Jesus. They probably could have just thought of themselves and came to Jesus, instead of making the effort to bring the man in a stretcher. But they had great faith in Jesus that they were willing to go the extra mile for the paralyzed man. They had faith Jesus could do something about it, else they would not make the effort to bring him. And when Jesus saw this, especially the faith of the men, he forgave the man and healed him.

Like stars that shine brightest during the darkest of night, faith shines brightest during the toughest of situations.

In life, we are also faced with challenges. Things don’t come easy. There are a lot of of problems. However, we are reminded to have faith for God will honor it. God does not disappoint, and will hear those who have great faith in Him.  We are also reminded not just to have friends who have a lot of faith or who are very spiritual, but be that kind of friend to others as well. 

The pandemic situation right now is no joke. The new government will also start already. However, There are still a lot of unresolved problems. Fears. Concerns. In the news and in social media, we see a lot of disturbing news. Disturbing actions. Disturbing people. Inequality on social status treatment. We need not add. What God is calling us to do is to live our faith. Spread our faith in him. Spread his love and goodness. And as we are reminded today, our faith might actually bless other people. We should just do our part and do the best we can to share our faith to others. 

Do I have faith in God? Is my faith limited to normal situations, or do I still have faith in him in seemingly impossible and difficult situations, especially in the pandemic? Is my faith beneficial to others? How can I improve my faith? How can my faith bless others and proclaim God’s kingdom? How can I spread my faith today? 

May our faith benefit not just ourselves, but others around us as well.

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 reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I don't have enough faith in you. Sorry for the times I give up and surrender, instead of fighting for my faith. Increase my faith. Lord, I thank you for the gift of faith. Thank you for honoring my faith, and for giving me friends who pray for me. I also ask you that you help me strengthen my faith, not just for myself and my needs, but so that I may be able to bless others through it. May my faith be instrumental in blessing others and bringing them to you. May my faith bring glory to your name. Use me for your purpose and glory, especially during this time. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• JUNE 29, 2022
• June 30, 2022
• JULY 1, 2022

• Readings for the Optional Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church

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Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 380

Reading I

Am 7:10-17

Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent word to Jeroboam,
king of Israel:
“Amos has conspired against you here within Israel;
the country cannot endure all his words.
For this is what Amos says:
Jeroboam shall die by the sword,
and Israel shall surely be exiled from its land.”

To Amos, Amaziah said:
“Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.”
Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’
Now hear the word of the LORD!”

You say: prophesy not against Israel,
preach not against the house of Isaac.
Now thus says the LORD:
Your wife shall be made a harlot in the city,
and your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword;
Your land shall be divided by measuring line,
and you yourself shall die in an unclean land;
Israel shall be exiled far from its land.

Responsorial Psalm

19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. (10cd) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.

Alleluia

2 Cor 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
“Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

Peter and Paul

The WORD today reminds me that I should be like saints Peter and Paul who continued to serve God no matter what situation they were in.

As we celebrate the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, I am inspired to be like them. 

The first reading shows us what great things God has done to Peter. He was captured, chained and was set to die. A lot of guards were guarding him to be sure he cannot escape. Then we see that nothing really is impossible with God! God hears the prayers of his people! God sent an angel to take Peter away from a seemingly impossible situation. God turned the hopeless situation into one which shows his great love, power and glory! Peter continued to serve God even if he was in prison, even if times were tough. 

Another great servant of God, Paul’s final moments was recalled in the second reading. Yes, he gave his all for God. He was tired, yet very happy and satisfied with how he lived his life in service of God. Until the end, he had complete and full faith in God, something we can aspire to have, something we can work to have.

God appreciates hard work done for Him.

The gospel shows us Jesus asking the disciples the question: Who am I to you? Who do you say that I am? It does not matter who Jesus is for other people. What matters is who Jesus is to them. Peter proclaimed that Jesus is the messiah. Jesus then affirmed that it was God who revealed this to Peter, and he said his blessings on Peter as the head of his Church.

Today, God is asking us the same question: Who am I to you? It does not matter what other people say Jesus is. It does not matter what sins we have committed in the past. It does not matter what we intend to do in our lives. What matters for Christ is our answer to his question, and if like Saints Peter and Paul, we are willing to walk the talk – to live what our answer to what God is in our lives. We should be willing to serve God no matter what situation we are in. 

Who is God to me? Who is God in my life? Do I put him first in my life? Do I believe that he is all loving, all merciful, all powerful? Do I believe that he can work great things to and through me? Do I serve him? Do I continue to serve him when times are tough? 

May we find it in our hearts to answer him like Peter did – that he is the Messiah, that he is God in our lives. Let us be inspired by saints Peter and Paul, and live our lives the way these two servants of God did – working tirelessly to proclaim God’s kingdom wherever they are, having full faith in God.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience your love and live my faith. Thank you for the reminder and challenge. Lord, I praise and adore you for who you are. I am so blessed that you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and that no matter what I do, you will not love me less. I am so grateful to be worshipping the same God that Peter and Paul worshipped. Sorry for the times I do not act like Sts Peter and Paul. Sorry for being afraid to proclaim my faith. Sorry for losing hope and faith. Increase my faith. I believe that you will use me in a mighty way the same way you used Peter and Paul for your glory. Lord, I ask that you help me live my life proclaiming that you are the Messiah, that you are my God, so that I can bring people to you and glorify you. Help me be like them who tirelessly served you, especially when times are tough. May I live my love for you through service. This I ask in Jesus name, Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• JUNE 28, 2022
• June 29, 2022
• JUNE 30, 2022

• Readings for the Vigil
• Readings for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

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Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles 
Mass during the Day 

Lectionary: 591

Reading I

Acts 12:1-11

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them.
He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword,
and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews
he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
–It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.–
He had him taken into custody and put in prison
under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each.
He intended to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter thus was being kept in prison,
but prayer by the Church was fervently being made
to God on his behalf.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial,
Peter, secured by double chains,
was sleeping between two soldiers,
while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.
Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him
and a light shone in the cell.
He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,
“Get up quickly.”
The chains fell from his wrists.
The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.”
He did so.
Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.”
So he followed him out,
not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real;
he thought he was seeing a vision.
They passed the first guard, then the second,
and came to the iron gate leading out to the city,
which opened for them by itself.
They emerged and made their way down an alley,
and suddenly the angel left him.
Then Peter recovered his senses and said,
            “Now I know for certain
            that the Lord sent his angel
            and rescued me from the hand of Herod
            and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.”

Responsorial Psalm

34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R.        (5) The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
            his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
            the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R.        The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
Glorify the LORD with me,
            let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
            and delivered me from all my fears.
R.        The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
            and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
            and from all his distress he saved him.
R.        The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.
The angel of the LORD encamps
            around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
            blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R.        The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

Reading II 

2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.

The Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever.  Amen.

Alleluia

Mt 16:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”