Speak with Courage

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

21 June 2026

 

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35

Second Reading: Romans 5:12-15

Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle Balla

A director once asked if it would be appropriate to share during a training session with champions across different locations in Asia, that the greatest gift he received in life is God’s salvation. I appreciated that he reached out, and my response was simple: it takes courage to speak authentically about our faith, and that courage deserves respect.

I never doubted he would do it. He is a leader of integrity—someone who leads with conviction and earns trust not just through words, but through example.

I often remind my team that when our intent is good, we should not be afraid to speak up. When our intent is to do good, we should not hesitate to act. When our intent is to share hope, encouragement, and inspiration, we should not hold back—whether in conversations, in leadership moments, or even in how we show up publicly.

If the love of God overwhelms your heart, sing praises, leap for joy, shout out loud and worship Him! And I assure you, its so worth it. There is immeasurable joy when you proclaim and declare your love for God and His goodness.

Prayer

I Speak Jesus

Song by: Charity Gayle

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus

Over every heart and every mind

'Cause I know there is peace within Your presence

I speak Jesus

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus

'Til every dark addiction starts to break

Declaring there is hope and there is freedom

I speak Jesus

'Cause Your name is power

Your name is healing

Your name is life

Break every stronghold

Shine through the shadows

Burn like a fire

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus

Over fear and all anxiety

To every soul held captive by depression

I speak Jesus

'Cause Your name is power

Your name is healing

Your name is life

Break every stronghold

Shine through the shadows

Burn like a fire

Shout Jesus from the mountains

Jesus in the streets

Jesus in the darkness, over every enemy

Jesus for my family

I speak the holy name

Jesus, oh (oh)

Shout Jesus from the mountains

And Jesus in the streets (oh)

Jesus in the darkness, over every enemy

Jesus for my family

I speak the holy name

Jesus (Jesus)

'Cause Your name is power

Your name is healing

Your name is life

Break every stronghold

Shine through the shadows

Burn like a fire

Your name is power (Your name is power)

Your name is healing (Your name is healing)

Your name is life (You are my life)

Break every stronghold (break every stronghold)

Shine through the shadows

Burn like a fire

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus

Over every heart and every mind

'Cause I know there is peace within Your presence

I speak Jesus

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

 

First Reading:  IS 42:1-4, 6-7

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

Second Reading:  ACTS 10:34-38

Gospel:  MK 1:7-11

 

Reflection

By: Carlo Alexis Malaluan

 

Do you still remember the day of your baptism? Probably not, you were too little to be aware that you were being baptized – well, except of course if you have received the Sacrament of Baptism in your adult life. But one thing is for sure, in baptism we have gained our identity as a part of God's family – the Church. In baptism, we have received the grace to belong to a community of believers sharing the grace that God has bestowed upon each one of us.

 

In today's Gospel, we have seen Jesus in the Jordan river being baptized by John. A voice from heaven reaffirmed prophesies about Him. He is the one on whom His Spirit rests and will bring justice to the nations. This is the identity of Jesus.

 

In the post-modern world, many connotations and interpretations of who Jesus is have emerged in our consciousness. Yet, many people still don't believe in Christ. Many people would often cling to the explanation of skepticism and rejection of God. We, as a community of believers must retain our faith in Christ. We must take extra efforts to communicate who Jesus is to us, not only through our festive celebrations but more so in our lifestyle and in the way we move in the secular affairs of the world.

 

 

The year 2021 has marked the 500^th year of Christianity in the Philippines, our theme challenges us: "Missio ad Gentes!" Mission to the People. Let us take courage and heart to tell the world that Christ is alive and is with us! We must take sufferings without complaints, we must spread the Gospel with such joy and enthusiasm, we must live up with the Gospel values every single day of our lives – in that way our identity and that of identity of Jesus will be the same. So that when people see us, they may see the Christ in us. Let our identity be that of Jesus in the way, we can testify that Jesus is God's beloved son.
 

Prayer

 

God of all wilderness wanderers, you sent John to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, your beloved son. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that, like John, we may proclaim the time to turn from sinfulness and the good news of your grace; through Christ, the water of life. Amen.

 

No Fear

Second Sunday of Lent 08 March 2020
First reading Genesis 12:1-4

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Second reading                                                  2 Timothy 1:8-10

Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Gospel                                                                   Matthew 17:1-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.

Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Reflection

By Fely C. Santiago

“Rise, and have no fear”

The word “fear” is mentioned in the Bible so many times that you would think it was another name for human being. That’s why in the Bible we also often hear Jesus' greetings of “Peace be with you” and “Do not be afraid”.

Fear is a normal feeling. But when it starts to consume us then it’s something that’s not from God anymore. It’s the weapon of the enemy to keep us away from our focus on God. What is your greatest fear? Is it death? Sickness? Loss of a job? No money? But the most difficult fear to overcome is a free-floating anxiety without known cause. You just worry a lot and always so anxious. I know a lot of people who worry a lot and are always so anxious even with little things. They have a lot of “what-if”.

Pause for now and ask yourself, what are you so anxious about? What are your fears? Why do you fear? Bring that fear to the loving presence of God. Imagine the Lord is sitting beside you. Cry out to him from the depths of your heart for courage. Repeat the words of Jesus “My Father if it is possible, take this cup from me, yet not my will but Yours be done”.

Renew your faith. Recite the Creed to remember that what you fear to lose is less valuable than God himself. God is everything. He is there for you. He never fails you. He never abandons you. And most of all, He loves you unconditionally. His mercy never ends. So rise, have no fear…you are never alone. God is with you always.

Remember the stormy night in Galilee? Jesus manifested a power beyond anything we can comprehend. How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ fearful cries amidst the storm? He told them to have courage. That’s the way Jesus always treats us speaking a word of courage, calming our souls. We may feel that we are alone in the dark, full of our fears but the truth is that God sees us no matter where we are or what we are going through. Just as Jesus walked on the water to come to the disciples, he can come to us and CALM our FEARS.

Prayer

Lord Jesus I am always so afraid. I am full of “what-if”. What if I die, what if I get sick, what if I don’t have money, what if...,what if…Please increase my faith in You. I know You are always there for me to guide me, to protect me, to provide for my needs, to heal me, to love me, to forgive me. You are more than enough for me. That’s all I ask in Your Mighty Name, Amen.

The Offering

 

“If the Magi had come in search of an earthly King, they would have been disconcerted at finding that they had taken the trouble to come such a long way for nothing. Consequently they would have neither adored nor offered gifts. But since they sought a heavenly King, though they found in Him no signs of royal pre-eminence, yet, content with the testimony of the star alone, they adored: for they saw a man, and they acknowledged a God.” (St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)

First Reading: IS 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;

all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm: PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

Second Reading : EPH 3:2-3A, 5-6

Brothers and sisters:

You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations  as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel: MT 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel." Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child.

When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage." After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflection 
By Pietro S. Albano

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

On this feast of the Lord's Epiphany, there seems be no other song more appropriate than "We Three Kings of Orient Are".  In today's Gospel, we read that wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem looking for the newborn king of the Jews.  Naturally, Herod whom the Roman Senate elected "King of the Jews", was disturbed. 

The wise men offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The beautiful Christmas carol I mentioned above gives us a glimpse of what these gifts meant.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

Take note that the gifts reflect not so much of the giver, but more of the receiver. At the closing of the Christmas season, what is that we can offer our Lord?  Something that reflects more of Him than us? Another Christmas carol ("In the Bleak Midwinter") comes to mind:

What can I give him, poor as I am? 
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; 
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; 
yet what I can I give him: give my heart. 

Poor as we may be, wretched our heart and life may be, He is here to console and heal us. Fear not then, but come and let's worship and serve Him!

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, together with the wise men, I humbly approach You to offer my poor heart.  Use it, beloved King, for Your glory and for the good of Your people. Amen.

Reassurance and Commissioning

5th Sunday In Ordinary Time 7 February 2016

First reading   Isaiah 6: 1-2, 3-8

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings.
  And they cried out to one another in this way,
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts.
His glory fills the whole earth.’
The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said:
‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost,
for I am a man of unclean lips
and I live among a people of unclean lips,
and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’
Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said:
‘See now, this has touched your lips,
your sin is taken away,
your iniquity is purged.’
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:
‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’
I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’

Psalm                                                                            Psalm 137:1-5,7-8

               

Second reading                                                          1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, the gospel that you received and in which you are firmly established; because the gospel will save you only if you keep believing exactly what I preached to you – believing anything else will not lead to anything.
  Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died; then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles; and last of all he appeared to me too; it was as though I was born when no one expected it.
  I am the least of the apostles; in fact, since I persecuted the Church of God, I hardly deserve the name apostle; but by God’s grace that is what I am, and the grace that he gave me has not been fruitless. On the contrary, I, or rather the grace of God that is with me, have worked harder than any of the others; but what matters is that I preach what they preach, and this is what you all believed.

Gospel                                                                       Luke 5:1-11

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
  When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.
  When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

Sensing the divine in the big catch he had, Simon Peter blurted out to the itinerant preacher, 'Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man' (Lk 5:8).  Surprisingly, Jesus told Peter: 'Do not be afraid; from now on it is people you will be catching.' (Lk 5:10). No wagging of fingers. No blaming.  Only reassurance AND commissioning.

Peter did follow Jesus, but there were instances when he failed. On one occasion, Peter stood out as the staunch supporter of the Lord. But in the face of trials, he denied his Master.  We too have those ups and downs in our lives as Christians.

Whenever I think of my sins, I feel so ashamed of myself, so unworthy of serving God and His people. Humbly acknowledging my own sinfulness, I keep on approaching the Lord through prayer, the sacraments, Sacred Scripture, and the community. All alone, I will fail, but with the Merciful Lord I won't! We won't!

In the many moments that we feel inadequate in responding to God's call for us to do a particular vocation or ministry; in the many moments when our sins (or the sins of others) get in the way of our service to the Lord and His people, let us take to heart Jesus' words to Peter: "Do not be afraid". 

Prayer

Merciful Father, You qualify those whom You call.  Thank You for Your trust and confidence in us, poor sinners, unworthy children of Yours. Help us to remain faithful in catching people for You. In Jesus' mighty Name. Amen.

Purified by Love

5th Sunday of Easter May 3
O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders; in the sight of the nations he has shown his deliverance, alleluia.
First reading                                      Acts 9:26-31
When Saul got to Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him: they could not believe he was really a disciple. Barnabas, however, took charge of him, introduced him to the apostles, and explained how the Lord had appeared to Saul and spoken to him on his journey, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Saul now started to go round with them in Jerusalem, preaching fearlessly in the name of the Lord. But after he had spoken to the Hellenists, and argued with them, they became determined to kill him. When the brothers knew, they took him to Caesarea, and sent him off from there to Tarsus.   The churches throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now left in peace, building themselves up, living in the fear of the Lord, and filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm                                               Psalm 21:26-28,30-32
Second reading                               1 John 3:18-24

My children,
our love is not to be just words or mere talk,
but something real and active;
only by this can we be certain
that we are children of the truth
and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence,
whatever accusations it may raise against us,
because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything.
My dear people,
if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience,
we need not be afraid in God’s presence,
and whatever we ask him,
we shall receive,
because we keep his commandments
and live the kind of life that he wants.
His commandments are these:
that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ
and that we love one another
as he told us to.
Whoever keeps his commandments
lives in God and God lives in him.
We know that he lives in us
by the Spirit that he has given us.

Gospel                                         John 15:1-8

Jesus said:
‘I am the true vine,
and my Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit
he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit
he prunes to make it bear even more.
You are pruned already,
by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,
but must remain part of the vine,
neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty;
for cut off from me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;
these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,
and they are burnt.
If you remain in me
and my words remain in you,
you may ask what you will
and you shall get it.
It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit,
and then you will be my disciples.’

Reflection

By Theresa Ballo

Ironic it may seem yet, a loss, is God’s way of purifying us. It is His way of leading us to something better and presenting us the value of what was taken away from us. Nevertheless, a lost fight, a lost pet, or even a lost loved one is not gone, totally and perfectly. It just changes its form. It was transformed into something we can always look back to and bring back various emotions we felt when we were in that moment, with that someone. It is transformed into memories.

Have we ever imagined ourselves in the disciples’ place when Jesus died on the cross and resurrected from death? I bet it is a roller coaster ride of emotions and confusion of thoughts. The disciples have been purified by Jesus’ death. They have been pruned by the word that they heard from Jesus. “I am the vine, you are the branches!” This passage reminds us that we are part of Jesus. We are one with Him simply because there is no vine that does not have any branch nor there is no producing branch unless it is attached to the vine. The Gospel prompts us to remain united to the vine, to Jesus, so as not to die and so as to bear fruit.

“Remain in me, as I in you.” To continue to live an intimate relationship with Jesus, He said these words to His disciples. Jesus became an internal fortress to each of them. He may not be physically present throughout their journey yet His memories, His teachings, and His love live on. They even reach all of us through the Scriptures.

Years ago, I met a stranger, an old woman in a wake. After a small talk, she told me that the only way to be completely consoled after a death of a loved one is to be able to hold on to life, to continue living, to continue to bear fruit, and  to continue to love. I think this is better be shared in Filipino, just as she said it, “Ang tanging paraan upang malamapasan ang pagkawala ng isang minamahal ay ang patuloy na mamuhay, magbunga, at magmahal pa rin.” Beautiful isn’t it? The old woman is from Bulacan, that is why her Tagalog words are beautifully chosen.

In rare times I wonder which is more painful, the loss of the dying or the loss of the living. I have not experienced the first one, especially someone who is close to me so I would not know personally its magnitude of pain. However, loss of a living or rejection, to better put it into words, was something I completely understand. I have been praying for someone to be involved in my life again. Ten years, I have been waiting for him. Sometimes he is there, then he is gone and then he goes back again. Yet, I continuously pray that we could still end up together. Until I surrendered in prayer, whatever His will for me, let it happen, just give me the courage to endure.  True enough, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for, I was rejected gently. 

After going through and overcoming that rejection, that loss and that gentle pruning, a better ME came out. My thoughts, my time, and my creativity were channeled to serving God even more. I understand better that to remain with Jesus brings forth mission- to be in the midst of our neighbor, our brothers and sisters. As in my case, to be in the midst of my fellow youth, as service and as a gift.

Prayer

Lord, I  am still awed by Your presence in my life. Thank You Lord, my vine, for being my dwelling place.  Thank You for faithfully remaining in me. Bestow on me the courage to be a fruitful branch, to bear that fruit of love on earth, that I may remain a blessing to whomever I encounter. Amen.

Seeds of Hope

33rd Sunday In Ordinary Time
November 17, 2013
The Lord comes to rule the peoples with fairness.

First Reading: Malachi 3:19-20

The day is coming now, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and the evil-doers will be like stubble. The day that is coming is going to burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, leaving them neither root nor stalk. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.

Psalm: Psalm 97:5-9

Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

You know how you are supposed to imitate us: now we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we ever have our meals at anyone’s table without paying for them; no, we worked night and day, slaving and straining, so as not to be a burden on any of you. This was not because we had no right to be, but in order to make ourselves an example for you to follow.

  We gave you a rule when we were with you: do not let anyone have any food if he refuses to do any work. Now we hear that there are some of you who are living in idleness, doing no work themselves but interfering with everyone else’s. In the Lord Jesus Christ, we order and call on people of this kind to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat.

Gospel: Luke 21:5-19

When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’

  ‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

  ‘But before all this happens, men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’

Reflection
By Nats Vibiesca

Many of us cried after watching videos of the people affected by the powerful earthquake and the devastating typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas. I cried because it was the end of the world for me. Since then I could not think. I could not write. I thought it was a paralysis of the left and the right brain. Deadlines, deadliest deadlines of my creative writing commitments are all in red lights. How can I write a perfect conflict for fiction if I see real people in desolation—dying in the Visayas? Do you think a writer can still imagine and manage to internalize the problems of his created protagonist from the hands of his antagonist if the agony of his Kababayans haunting his soul? I could not think of any greater human problem than the recent catastrophe in the Philippines. In desperation, maybe, many grieving people in the Visayas think that it’s really the end of the world. Is it possible to write at this time better conflict for a story than the suffering of the Filipinos against the forces of nature?

No. I cannot write any conflict with this heart breaking scenario. It’s the end of the world.

But the Gospel today is teaching me to be faithful, to persevere, and not to be afraid in order to survive. The end of the world is inevitable but the Lord gave us the instruction to be alive. Our Lord Jesus also tells us that persecutions and sufferings are opportunities to show our fidelity to God. In reality, the end of the world is only for those who have not recognized Jesus and being unfaithful results in affliction especially for those who do not trust the Lord. We can translate our faithfulness to Jesus into concrete actions like sharing the blessings we have to those who are hopeless.

Thus, faithfulness through actions defy the end of the world; this is by letting our Kababayans know that we care and love them and we will continue providing relief goods for the body and relief for the soul through unceasing prayers for them.

I wish and pray that the faithful will also bring seeds to the Visayas to immediately plant in the land. Flowering seeds, fruits or any crop seeds, and seeds of sturdy trees that will surely bring hope to the people as the Lord transforms the environment and bring back the beautiful colors of creation into life.

Let us all take courage and persevere because this is how we will survive.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, grant us the courage and perseverance we need in order to survive the hardships of life. Bless us with faithfulness of heart and keep us away from all miseries that will test our fidelity to You. We ask Your grace to help us to remain steadfast in our faith so we can inspire others through our actions. Amen.      

Take heed, Watch

“ Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”

First Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19

For you are our Father. Were Abraham not to know us, nor Israel to acknowledge us, You, LORD, are our father, our redeemer you are named forever. Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways, and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. Too long have we been like those you do not rule, who do not bear your name. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you.

 Resp. Psalm: Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

Second Reading: 1^st Cor.1:3-9

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus (Christ). God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel: Mark 13:33-37

Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'"

Reflection

by Elizabeth Eguia

"Listen to your father"; "We must hear the expert before we make a decision"

It took me some time to write my last article for November as the Gospel message seems to be the same for the past weeks as well. I got stuck not knowing what to write. Until recently I had to experience another trial and miracle in life. Last Sunday, I had to go to the hospital as I noticed signs of Bell’s Palsy. It took time to digest that it is happening to me but my instinct has been so strong and with God’s divine intervention, He gave me wisdom on what to do. Maybe the experience of friends who had this illness helped me as well. It was 11pm, my officemate and I were about to take a lift to our condo unit and I felt something different. I felt the right side of my face was smiling but literally I wasn’t. At that moment I had an idea but I need to confirm and see myself from the mirror. I went to the bathroom, looked at the mirror and noticed the difference. My right cheek was moved up like it is swollen, my lips a little protruded with the left side a bit down. I got nervous, but the first thing that I uttered at that moment was "Jesus, please help me." I went directly to my friend and ask to look at my face and check if there is something different. Then she noticed as well. I immediately decided to go to hospital have it checked with one thing in my mind, I want to confirm what it was and I want remedy be given immediately.

My blood pressure then was high (due to panic and nervousness). I had CT scan and thank God the results were normal. The doctor ruled out stroke and confirmed it was Bell’s Palsy. So I was advised to be admitted for observation since my blood pressure was high as well. While waiting in the emergency area, I was holding with me an El Shaddai handkerchief. I placed it in my right cheek and I prayed for complete healing and at that moment I already let go. Since I know what it was and I am in the hospital and most especially God is with me, I felt safe and everything will be fine. In a span of 2-3 hours my friend and I noticed that my right cheek came back to normal. I know it was a miracle since most of the Bell’s Palsy cases I have read are much worst and took time for their face to be back to normal. But in my case, it was like sudden healing. I still allowed the doctors observe my condition and my regular doctor said it was good I went directly to hospital. Receiving Holy Communion daily when I was admitted helped me to be stronger and be at peace. God also surrounded me with angel friends who had been at my side and assisted me in this trial time.

The gospel today reminds us to be watchful, listen to God’s teaching, follow and practice it in our lives for we never know what may happen to us at any point in time. Being close to God through prayers, community groups, going to Mass, reading the Bible, listening to religious messages will give us wisdom and strength when faced with problems and it will give us the courage to go on with life praising and thanking God all the more for he has been there with us all day through.

 Prayer:

Dear God, words may be insufficient to express the gratitude that is overflowing in my heart. Thank you. Grant me and our readers, wisdom, strength, courage to face life’s trials with faith and trust in You so that we may be ready at all times no matter what trials may come our way. This we ask of You for Your greater glory and honor. Amen.