Take Courage

The WORD today reminds me that God wants me to take courage and continue doing his work despite the challenges I face.

Some people say that when you get closer to God, life seems to be more challenging. It seems that God is allowing you to be tested and pruned. This is true. God's ways are not our ways. While Children are usually rewarded for doing good - some parents give toys, food or something the child wants to make him or her feel rewarded for doing good, for studying well, for acting properly; God does not always act that way. We see in the first reading that God wants us to continue doing good even if he might not immediately reward us for the good we are doing.

Serving God does not stop after one good deed.

After Paul gave a testimony to the people, which could have caused him his life, God appeared to him. However, unlike a parent rewarding the child with something happy and nice, God did not tell him to rest first. Instead, God told him to take courage, because he will continue to bear witness and suffer persecution in Rome. Working for God does not end after one good deed. God wants us to continue doing his work, especially despite the challenges that come with it.

Serving God is more powerful when done with love, despite the pain. 

God may not have directly affirmed Paul, but we know God is pleased. Service becomes more powerful if we continue to do it with love for God, despite the pain, challenges and discomfort we experience. God may not have immediately rewarded Paul, but we know the great reward waiting for him after his earthly death. This is important to remember, especially as we do God’s work. We may experience challenges one after another. We may think that God is mad or is not looking after us. We may even question what we do. Unlike Paul, we may not necessarily see or feel God, but we should take comfort in his words to Paul. In as much as Paul continued to suffer as he proclaimed God’s kingdom, we too should not be surprised if we continue to experience challenges and persecutions as we do God’s work.

Today, we can probably relate so much to this. We are still in a pandemic and after the elections. We are worried. We feel helpless. However, these concerns should not stop us from doing good work. We should not stop doing God’s work. In fact, the more he needs us active right now. Despite our concerns, we should continue to help out others. We should continue to make others feel God’s blessings. 

Am I doing God’s work? Am I serving God? How? Do I experience pain and challenges as I do this? Do people treat me differently? Do I seem to miss on opportunities and connections because I do God’s work? How do I react in these situations? What is God telling me today? How does he want me to react? What does he want me to do?

May we take courage and continue doing God’s work despite the challenges that come with it.

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. Lord, as a human being, it’s hard to continue when I do not get affirmation and encouragement from you. I may sometimes question what’s happening and even doubt myself. But Lord, today you remind me to take courage and just continue doing your work. Sorry for the times I get discouraged. Sorry for the times I let challenges and problems stop me or weigh me down. Help me be faithful to you, especially when times get tough. I ask that you continue to strengthen and guide me as I serve you. use me mightily, even if it will entail pain on me. Do not lessen my pain and suffering for you, I just ask that you help me and give me strength to bear them. Lord, this Covid 19 pandemic is very challenging. Tiring. But Lord, I ask that you continue to give me strength to face it, and to be a blessing to others despite if everything. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• JUNE 1, 2022
• June 2, 2022
• JUNE 3, 2022

• EN ESPAÑOL
 
• VIEW CALENDAR
• GET DAILY READINGS E-MAILS

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Lectionary: 300

Reading I 

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11

Wishing to determine the truth
about why Paul was being accused by the Jews,
the commander freed him
and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene.
Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them.

Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees,
so he called out before the Sanhedrin,
“My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees;
I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.”
When he said this,
a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees,
and the group became divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection
or angels or spirits,
while the Pharisees acknowledge all three.
A great uproar occurred,
and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party
stood up and sharply argued,
“We find nothing wrong with this man.
Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
The dispute was so serious that the commander,
afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them,
ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst
and take him into the compound.
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage.
For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem,
so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
 

Responsorial Psalm

16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R.        (1)  Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
            I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
            you it is who hold fast my lot.
R.        Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
            even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
            with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R.        Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
            my body, too, abides in confidence;
Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world,
            nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R.        Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life,
            fullness of joys in your presence,
            the delights at your right hand forever.
R.        Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

Jn 17:21

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 17:20-26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
“I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,
that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.”

Blessed To Give

The WORD today reminds me that it is a huge blessing to be able to give to others, especially in God’s name. 

Many people, if not all, like to receive gifts. It is a great feeling to be reminded that someone cares enough and remembers to give you something. More than the actual gift, it is the thought that someone considered you special and important. That is why on birthdays and special occasions, we look forward to receiving gifts. However, do we feel the same way when giving gifts?

The first reading shows us Paul quoting Jesus in saying “It is better to give than to receive.” Is this true? Well, most probably those who have been serving God can attest to this, that it is more blessed to give, to be on the giving end and be used by God to reach out to people. In our community, those who have served and sponsored during a retreat can attest how more blessed it is to be on the giving end, to be serving others, than it is to receive these blessings from others. 

But on other things, is it true? It is really more blessed to give than to receive? I think so.

A candle loses nothing if as it lights another candle. Instead, is spreads light and enables another candle to shine bright for God, thus making the place a little brighter.

When we give, when we serve,  we are not only blessing others. We are not only making God’s love more alive in others.. because as we serve God, and as we do it well and properly, we also allow God to bless us. We cannot give what we do not have, so as we serve, we are telling God to fill us up first, give us graces, energy and love so that we can also share these with others. We are telling God we need healing too so we can be instruments of God’s healing to others. It may require more effort and energy on our part to serve… but we are sure that as we do so, we will be doubly blessed. We are serving a generous God who cannot be out-given!

A lot of people need something now. A lot lost their jobs. A lot cannot work. A lot cannot eat properly. With this pandemic, there is a greater need for people. And this is a time to live God’s command. For people who still have work and are still able to live comfortably, this is a time to share more. This is a time to be God’s hands in the world. We know and realize what are the basics and essentials in life. We realize that we do not need so much. And this should remind us to give back more. And we are reminded that as we are able to give back, we realize we are blessed with more than we actually need. 

Am I serving God? In what ways? Do I like to give to others, or am I too lazy or selfish and just want to be on the receiving end of things? What excuses do I tell myself to justify not serving God, or not giving my all to Him? Do I realize that as I give to others, as I serve to God, I will be more blessed, because God is a generous God, and he cannot be out given? How can I serve Him today?

May we be inspired and challenged to serve God and give our best for Him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for your word that reminds me and encourages me to give of myself for you. Lord, I pray that you change my heart and expand it so I would desire to give you more of myself. Magnify my service, Lord, so that as I give and serve you, your name would be glorified and your kingdom proclaimed. As I serve you, I ask you to fill me with everything I need – your love, peace, joy, healing and mercy, so that as I serve, these will overflow to others I am serving. With this pandemic, use me to be your hands and make your love more real and more alive.  Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

• MAY 31, 2022
• June 1, 2022
• JUNE 2, 2022

• Readings for the Memorial of Saint Justin, martyr

• EN ESPAÑOL
 
• VIEW CALENDAR
• GET DAILY READINGS E-MAILS

Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr

Lectionary: 299

Reading I

Acts 20:28-38

At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus:
“Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you,
and they will not spare the flock.
And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth
to draw the disciples away after them.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
And now I commend you to God
and to that gracious word of his that can build you up
and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated.
I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
You know well that these very hands
have served my needs and my companions.
In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort
we must help the weak,
and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said,
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When he had finished speaking
he knelt down and prayed with them all.
They were all weeping loudly
as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him,
for they were deeply distressed that he had said
that they would never see his face again.
Then they escorted him to the ship.
 

Responsorial Psalm

68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab

R.        (33a)  Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, your power
            the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem
            let the kings bring you gifts.
R.        Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth. 
or:
R.        Alleluia.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
            chant praise to the Lord
            who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
            “Confess the power of God!”
R.        Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.
Over Israel is his majesty;
            his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel;
            he gives power and strength to his people.
R.        Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R.        Alleluia.

Alleluia

See Jn 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 17:11b-19

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”