The WORD
today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041118.cfm) reminds
me that I should tell the world of God’s love.
I
remember the 1995 World Youth Day held here in the Philippines. It was such a
big event. I think I was in grade four then, and we were practicing the songs
for the event. We sang those songs during first Friday masses, that we got
familiar and memorized the lyrics. Our family went to the event, and my
grandparents were saying
we would be very blessed and lucky if we can see the Pope at least once in our
lives. We were blessed that his convoy passed on the area where we were
standing, and I saw him up close (since his Pope Mobile was made of glass so
you can see him). When the theme song was played, I remember singing with it
because I knew the song. “Tell the World of his love” – which anchored on John
3:16, part of today’s gospel.
For God so loved the world
He gave us his only son
Jesus Christ our Savior
His most precious one…
Let us Tell the world of his love
The greatest love the world has known…
We are
to tell the world of God’s love. Like the apostles in the first reading who
were not bound by prison and still proclaimed the word of God. The gospel also
reminds us that we should live in the truth and come to the light, so our works
may be exposed and God be glorified.
Wherever
we are, we can tell the world of God’s love. Proclaiming this is not limited to
priests, missionaries and preachers. On the other hand, a more powerful
testimony of this is when we live our everyday lives proclaiming God. When we
make our everyday little actions, everyday decisions, anchored on God’s love
and his gospel values, we are proclaiming God. We tell of God’s love when we are
extra kind to others, when we extend our mercy and patience to those who do not
deserve it, when we act with integrity even if we think no one is watching,
when we do the right things, when we extend love to those unlovable in the
office. These things, though may seem simple and little, proclaim God’s love
through our lives.
May we
be challenged and encouraged to tell the world of God’s love everyday.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live.
Thank you for loving me. Thank you for reminding me of your call to tell the
world of your love. Lord, sorry for the times I do not. Sorry for being too
busy or too lazy. Sorry for making up excuses. I ask that you help me life my
life consistent with your instruction. Help me proclaim you. Help me live for
you. May I do everyday things, simple things, that will proclaim you, that will
magnify and glorify you. May my life be my testament of my love for and faith
in you. Amen.
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
April
11, 2018
Memorial of Saint Stanislaus,
Bishop and Martyr
Lectionary: 269
Lectionary: 269
Reading 1 ACTS 5:17-26
The
high priest rose up and all his companions,
that is, the party of the Sadducees,
and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,
led them out, and said,
"Go and take your place in the temple area,
and tell the people everything about this life."
When they heard this,
they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.
When the high priest and his companions arrived,
they convened the Sanhedrin,
the full senate of the children of Israel,
and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,
so they came back and reported,
"We found the jail securely locked
and the guards stationed outside the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no one inside."
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report,
they were at a loss about them,
as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them,
"The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area
and are teaching the people."
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,
but without force,
because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
that is, the party of the Sadducees,
and, filled with jealousy,
laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.
But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,
led them out, and said,
"Go and take your place in the temple area,
and tell the people everything about this life."
When they heard this,
they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.
When the high priest and his companions arrived,
they convened the Sanhedrin,
the full senate of the children of Israel,
and sent to the jail to have them brought in.
But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,
so they came back and reported,
"We found the jail securely locked
and the guards stationed outside the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no one inside."
When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report,
they were at a loss about them,
as to what this would come to.
Then someone came in and reported to them,
"The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area
and are teaching the people."
Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,
but without force,
because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3,
4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R.
(7a) The Lord hears the cry of the
poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia JN 3:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel JN 3:16-21
God so
loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
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