Thy Will Be Done

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

26 July 2026

 

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

“Piet, lagi mong hanapin ang kalooban ng Diyos. Lagi mong dasalin ‘Panginoon, ituro mo sa akin ang kalooban mo. Panginoon, sundin ang loob mo.” (Piet, always seek God’s will. Always pray, ‘Lord, show me your will. Lord, your will be done.) Those were my Lola Piling’s advice to me in the twilight of her life. She repeated these words to me whenever she flew to Manila. As a teenager, I was expecting she would give me tips on how to be rich and successful.

In today’s first reading, Solomon asked for an understanding mind instead of long life, riches, or the life of his enemies. God was pleased with his request and granted it. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us about individuals selling everything they had to buy something of greater value. For me, my grandmother seemed to have behaved like these characters. Her priority was to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (Mt 6:33). Wealth, prestige, etc. were secondary. Her life was characterized by prayer, family life, and works of evangelization and charity through the hospital and school she and my grandfather founded as well as their active participation in the parish.

Our readings challenge us to take a serious look at our priorities. Are these leading us closer to (or farther from) God? C.S. Lewis once wrote, "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'" May we be counted among the former to enjoy the fulness of God’s kingdom.

Prayer

Loving Father, grant us a discerning heart to always know and do your will. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The Bread of Life

    

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

11 August 2024

 

First Reading: 1Kgs 19:4-8

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

Second Reading: Eph 4:30—5:2

Gospel: Jn 6:41-51

 

Reflection

By: Theresa B. Manio

 

Today’s Gospel is a reiteration of what God told us last Sunday. He once again gives more emphasis on the value of the bread and wine that we are partaking in the Holy Eucharist, more so, how that Bread alone and a profound relationship with Jesus nourishes our Spirit. Jesus begins by declaring, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." To the listeners of His time, this was a controversial statement. They murmured, questioning how He could claim such a divine origin, knowing His earthly parents. Yet, as the reading continues, Jesus challenges their understanding of spiritual reality versus physical reality.

The idea of Jesus as the "bread of life" resonates deeply with me. Bread is a basic, daily necessity—something we rely on for physical sustenance. Similarly, Jesus positions Himself as essential for our spiritual well-being. Just as we cannot live without bread, we cannot thrive spiritually without the sustenance He provides. This comparison makes me ponder my own spiritual hunger.

It is easy to believe in Jesus and His teaching when things are going well with my life. My spirits are high to worship and give thanks but when circumstances are odd and when at times everything seems going wrong, I oftentimes find myself asking where is God in all these. What is He trying to teach me? When and how will help come? It is hard to see the good when everything around is dark. In spite of these, I can feel that tiny spark inside me, telling me to endure and hold on, receive the Eucharist, read His promises in the Bible, attend the weekly worship session, and just let go. Cry if you need to, let go and let God handle it.

The passage also challenges me to reflect on the nature of faith and acceptance. Jesus says, "The one who feeds on this bread will live forever." This is a call to not just acknowledge Him but to fully embrace Him and His teachings. It's about an ongoing relationship where we continually draw from His life-giving presence. In practice, this means prioritizing time for prayer, reflection, and seeking to live according to His teachings. It’s a call to recognize that, like physical bread, the spiritual nourishment Jesus provides is something I must consistently return to. It’s about daily choices to align my life with His will and to rely on His grace.

As I think about these verses, I am reminded that the bread of life is not just a doctrine to be understood but a reality to be lived. It’s an invitation to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Christ, a relationship that transforms not just my spiritual life but the way I approach every aspect of my existence.

 

Prayer

Dear God, 

May we continually seek Jesus, the bread of life, to find our deepest satisfaction and purpose in His presence. We trust that Your profound love and provision is available to us especially when we come to You with open hearts, may we easily recognize Your work in our lives. May we be instruments of Your loving presence in the people we encounter in our daily lives. Amen.

Pray

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time  24 July 2016    

First reading
Genesis 18:20-32

The Lord said, ‘How great an outcry there is against Sodom and Gomorrah! How grievous is their sin! I propose to go down and see whether or not they have done all that is alleged in the outcry against them that has come up to me. I am determined to know.’

  The men left there and went to Sodom while Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Approaching him he said, ‘Are you really going to destroy the just man with the sinner? Perhaps there are fifty just men in the town. Will you really overwhelm them, will you not spare the place for the fifty just men in it? Do not think of doing such a thing: to kill the just man with the sinner, treating just and sinner alike! Do not think of it! Will the judge of the whole earth not administer justice?’ the Lord replied, ‘If at Sodom I find fifty just men in the town, I will spare the whole place because of them.’

  Abraham replied, ‘I am bold indeed to speak like this to my Lord, I who am dust and ashes. But perhaps the fifty just men lack five: will you destroy the whole city for five?’ ‘No,’ he replied ‘I will not destroy it if I find forty-five just men there.’ Again Abraham said to him, ‘Perhaps there will only be forty there.’ ‘I will not do it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the forty.’

  Abraham said, ‘I trust my Lord will not be angry, but give me leave to speak: perhaps there will only be thirty there.’ ‘I will not do it’ he replied ‘if I find thirty there.’ He said, ‘I am bold indeed to speak like this, but perhaps there will only be twenty there.’ ‘I will not destroy it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the twenty.’ He said, ‘I trust my Lord will not be angry if I speak once more: perhaps there will only be ten.’ ‘I will not destroy it’ he replied ‘for the sake of the ten.’

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 137:1-3,6-8

Second reading
Colossians 2: 12-14

You have been buried with Christ, when you were baptised; and by baptism, too, you have been raised up with him through your belief in the power of God who raised him from the dead. You were dead, because you were sinners and had not been circumcised: he has brought you to life with him, he has forgiven us all our sins.

  He has overridden the Law, and cancelled every record of the debt that we had to pay; he has done away with it by nailing it to the cross.

Gospel	Luke 11: 1-13

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:

“Father, may your name be held holy,

your kingdom come;

give us each day our daily bread,

and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.

And do not put us to the test.”’

He also said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.

  ‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

  Reflection
By Arthur B. Reyes  

Among all the Gospel writers, Luke gives the utmost attention to Jesus' teaching on prayer. In today’s Gospel, Jesus Himself tells us to pray without ceasing, “for everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

I know a four-year-old child named Cassandra. Every night she asked her nanay or tatay to read to her a short story before sleep. They always gladly did but after several months her tatay got a bright idea. He recorded all the stories on his smartphone and told her to simply play them to hear what she wanted.

She did not like it.

“But, Cassandra,” he told her, “you can still hear it.”

“Yes,” she replied, “but I can’t sit on its lap.”

In analogy with the story, God wants a personal relationship between Him and his people. Isn't it wonderful that our God is eager to spend time with you and with me? However, the only way we can "experience" conversation and communion with Him is through personal communication - through prayer. In prayer we tell and listen, it is a two-way conversation in a very personal way.

When we pray, we entrust everything to God, we put Him first above anyone and everything else around us. And when we put God first, we begin to look at life with a different perspective. No, it’s not like all our troubles and worries go away instantly but we start to look at life's challenges with vigor and resolve.There are times when we were in a situation that looked like to be an epic fail, but is in fact an opportunity to grow. When we put the Lord first we experience the peace that our hearts long for, the peace that only God can give.

It's been two months now that we don't have a working telephone (and internet). No thanks to Public Works Department who keeps digging the street, hitting the telephone cables in the process. My phone handset is useless, my calls would be unanswered as no one will ever hear it.

Prayer needs no telephone line. Jesus says that all we need is call. And keep calling because He will surely answer. Talk about what you want to tell and listen by opening your heart to Him. God hears the prayers of everyone, rich or poor, healthy or frail, young or old. No one is too insignificant to be undeserving of His love.

I read somewhere that when we pray, we remember the following – Love. Wisdom. Power.

- Love of God that wants the best for us.
- Wisdom of God that knows what is best for us.
- Power of God that can accomplish it.

  Prayer

 

Our Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.

Lord, teach us to pray, and never cease to pray. Amen.

 

 

Pray Unceasingly

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
17 October 2010


Come, let us rejoice in the Lord: let us acclaim God our salvation, alleluia.

First reading Exodus 17:8-13
The Amalekites came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, ‘Pick out men for yourself, and tomorrow morning march out to engage Amalek. I, meanwhile, will stand on the hilltop, the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him and marched out to engage Amalek, while Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek. But Moses’ arms grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him and on this he sat, Aaron and Hur supporting his arms, one on one side, one on the other; and his arms remained firm till sunset. With the edge of the sword Joshua cut down Amalek and his people.

Psalm: Psalm 120:1-8

Second reading 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
You must keep to what you have been taught and know to be true; remember who your teachers were, and how, ever since you were a child, you have known the holy scriptures – from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and can profitably be used for teaching, for refuting error, for guiding people’s lives and teaching them to be holy. This is how the man who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work.
Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience – but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching.
Gospel Luke 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’
And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

Reflection
By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

Other Bible versions conveyed Luke 18:1 emphatically. It said, “Pray and do not lose heart.” Today’s parable asks us to pray unceasingly. Jesus was saying that even this judge who does not regard God or man is able to serve justice to a persistent widow. So what more is our merciful but just Father? He knows what is best for each one of us. Because of this, we should stop comparing our blessings to our neighbor.
So pray and never give up.

Prayer should not only be at night before bedtime, or before and after meals. It is not only confined in the church since God is within us through the Holy Spirit. Our whole life should be an open prayer, and we pray not only to ask but most importantly to praise and thank God. The Lord is there to listen to all our cares, like a loving parent who is always interested in what his child thinks.

Lord Jesus,
Thank you for teaching us how to pray. Thank you for being there when no one seems to care about what we think. Rouse us from our spiritual slumber whenever we fail to acknowledge You within the day. Help us to understand that prayer is our special bonding time, so we may be recharged to face another day. Amen.

Next on God-speak
Work In Progress

Building A Relationship With God

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
18 July 2010


We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.

First reading Genesis 18:1-10
The Lord appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up, and there he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them, and bowed to the ground. ‘My lord,’ he said ‘I beg you, if I find favour with you, kindly do not pass your servant by. A little water shall be brought; you shall wash your feet and lie down under the tree. Let me fetch a little bread and you shall refresh yourselves before going further. That is why you have come in your servant’s direction.’ They replied, ‘Do as you say.’
Abraham hastened to the tent to find Sarah.’ ‘Hurry,’ he said ‘knead three bushels of flour and make loaves.’ Then running to the cattle Abraham took a fine and tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it. Then taking cream, milk and the calf he had prepared, he laid all before them, and they ate while he remained standing near them under the tree.
‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ they asked him. ‘She is in the tent’ he replied. Then his guest said, ‘I shall visit you again next year without fail, and your wife will then have a son.’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 14:2-5

Second reading Colossians 1:24-28
It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you, the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his saints. It was God’s purpose to reveal it to them and to show all the rich glory of this mystery to pagans. The mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the Christ we proclaim, this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ.

Gospel Luke 10:38-42
Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

Reflection
By Patty De la Rosa-Paat

TIME… it is something we all treasure. As many people says “We can't buy time" that is why TIME is very important. But how can we relate to this passage? God doesn’t ask much of our time. But do we find time for Him? Or are we too busy with our lifestyle? As time goes by, our busy lives or active life compromised our relationship with God because we don’t spend time for Him.

COMMUNICATION is also is very important. It is one way of expressing ourselves, interacting with others, exchanging our thoughts and feelings. In our modern life, communication is now very easy. We now have various and fast ways of communicating like email (the old style snail mail or electronic email), cellphone which we can use for calling, texting, sending emails, etc. God doesn’t have all these things. He has no computer and internet access and a cellular phone to be able to communicate to us. But He can easily be reached and there is no busy line ever! We can communicate with Him through praying and by attending the Holy Mass.

Praying is one way of communicating and being in the presence of God. We can do it publicly or privately. There are types of prayer:

1. Prayer of Praise and Adoration
2. Prayer of Penitence
3. Prayer of Petition/Intercession
4. Prayer of Thanksgiving

When we pray we believe that God really exist and His presence is with us. We are expressing our faith and love to Him. In praying, we can talk to God dearly, like we are talking to our love ones or best friend that we can tell everything to Him. We pray to God not only to ask favor but we are building a strong relationship with Him. So when we pray, we will make sure that our prayer is sincere, that it comes from the heart, unselfish and not self-righteous and make it very meaningful. Talk to God in a manner that you are comfortably talking to the most trusted person in your life for you are entrusting your life to Him.

Holy Mass as it is said by Pope Paul VI, “It is the perfect form of prayer". In Holy Mass, we strengthen our faith in God and as a believer we are united as one community and children of God. We listen to the teachings of Christ through the Holy Scriptures and receive Holy Communion. We sanctify and glorify God.

During the fourth century, Christians participated in the Eucharist in great risk. Despite the danger of being put to death, thousands attended Masses which were held in secret. Today, there is no such danger. But many of us neglect to take advantage of the opportunity to remember and receive Jesus. Why is this so? Perhaps we are just too lazy to go to Mass. Some claim they are too busy and others think that going to Mass is boring and not worth the effort. They rather stay in the house and watch movie or go out with friends. Still, others feel their prayer at home is just acceptable as prayer in the church. And some think that many sinners go to the church regularly and these people only show their hypocrisy.

But we must understand that Jesus Himself was associated with sinners and hypocrites to show them the way. Besides, we are sometimes hypocritical too. If our reason of not going to Mass is that we don’t get much out of it, let us remember that the cause could be that we don’t put much into the Mass either. We fail to involve ourselves in it.

Some popes and saints have shared with us the Tremendous Blessings and Benefits of the Mass:

“The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!"(Pope Paul VI)

"The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death." (Pope Benedict XV)

"The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross." (St. Thomas Aquinas)

"The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is most true that he who attends holy Mass shall be freed from many evils and from many dangers, both seen and unseen." (St. Gregory)

"The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass. He who devoutly hears holy Mass will receive a great vigor to enable him to resist mortal sin, and there shall be pardoned to him all venial sins which he may have committed up to that hour. He [who attends Mass with all possible devotion] shall be freed from sudden death, which is the most terrible stroke launched by the Divine Justice against sinners. Behold a wonderful preservative against sudden death." (St. Augustine)

"Without doubt, the Lord grants all favors which are asked of Him in Mass, provided they be fitting for us; and, which is a matter of great wonder, off times He also grants that also which is not demanded of Him, if we, on our part, put no obstacle in the way." (St. Jerome)

"When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar." (St. John Chrysostom)

"A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death." (St. Anselm)

“Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS." (St. Teresa)

"It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass." (St. Pio)

TIME and COMMUNICATION, these are what we need to build up a strong relationship with God. The busier we are, the more we need to talk to Him. Do not abuse the kindness of the Lord by simply ignoring HIM. We should understand that we are the ones who need HIM.

Dearest Lord, we thank You for being always there, ready to communicate, to listen to us. Help us to spend more time with You so we will be able to fully discern and understand Your will, for Your glory and our salvation. Amen.

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God Knows Best