. . . to all those who wait with love ? 2 Timothy 4:8

We only had a few minutes before our flight back to Manila from Bangkok. My sister, afflicted with a last-minute obsession with a yellow handbag, wanted to spend the last few moments at the bag shop. Her husband and I looked at each other with resignation. How were we going to reach the airport in time?
      When we got to the shop, my sister, who seemed to have completely forgotten we were late, eyed yet another bag. She sauntered to and from the mirror to check out how the bags looked. With the thoroughness of a cardiovascular surgeon, she inspected each zipper and pocket to check for flaws.
      Meanwhile, my patience was running out.
      ?I?m going to say this only once. We don?t have time!!!? My sis just went back to admire her reflection again. Each second felt like an hour and each minute, a lifetime.
      On the plane back home (we barely made it to check-in), I thought about the process of waiting, and how it would?ve been easier if I?d focused on how my sister didn?t really shop for herself ever since she became a mother, and how each second spent for herself is precious to her.
      How does one wait with love? By thinking about the goal, not the journey.Anna dG 

REFLECTION:
When you feel impatient or frustrated, are you thinking more of yourself or others?

Lord, teach me real patience and forbearance.

2 Timothy 4:1-8

We have a duty to refute falsehood when we encounter it in our lives. This means that we must be active in lobbying legislative authorities to protect the dignity of the unborn child and those who do not have the ability to fight for themselves, particularly the elderly and the weak. If we do not speak up against abortion and euthanasia, we are tantamount to giving it our assent! There are sins of omission as well as commission!

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: 2 proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers 4 and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. 5 But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 8 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.

P S A L M

Psalm 71:8-9, 14-15, 16-17, 22

R: I will sing of your salvation.

8 My mouth shall be filled with your praise, with your glory day by day. 9 Cast me not off in my old age; as my strength fails, forsake me not. (R) 14 But I will always hope and praise you ever more and more. 15 My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. (R) 16 I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD; O God, I will tell of your singular justice. 17 O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. (R) 22 So will I give you thanks with music on the lyre, for your faithfulness, O my God! I will sing your praises with the harp, O Holy One of Israel! (R)

G O S P E L

Mark 12:38-44

There is something in our humanity that seems to like being the center of attention for good reasons of course. Yet, in the spiritual life, this is not a good thing since it can easily lead to spiritual pride and sin. It is all right to be thanked and honored for services rendered but it must always be received with humility lest such applaud lead us to pride and sin. Let us fix our eyes upon the humility of Christ who sought neither recognition nor acclaim, and so follow in His footsteps.

38 In the course of his teaching he said, ?Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, 39 seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.? 41 He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, ?Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. 44 For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.?

my reflections
think: We have a duty to refute falsehood when we encounter it in our lives.

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God?s special verse/thought for me today________________

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T O D A Y ? S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Psalm 135-140

A classic Sculpture found among the ancient Greeks is entitled ?Three Virtues.? The sculpture features three young women walking together shoulder to shoulder.
      The narrative about the woman who was praised by Jesus for her offering at the Temple indicates to us how Jesus values authenticity. Though the woman, a widow, offered an amount that was so little when compared to the offerings that others made, Jesus says she offered ?more than all the other contributors to the treasury.? Jesus himself clarifies what made the contribution of the widow ?more.? Other gave out of surplus, while she gave out of her whole livelihood. Her gift was not extra ? it was coming from her breath and life!
      Meditating on the widow?s story, we realize that authenticity comes with three sister virtues:
      1) Authenticity comes with simplicity. I could just imagine how the others made their large offerings. They could have done so with countenances filled with pride. They could have made noticeable their entrance into the Temple. The poor widow, in turn, could have slipped unnoticed ? had not Jesus pointed her out to his disciples.
      2) Authenticity comes with inner silence. The others were ostentatious. The poor widow made no show, but came in just like the rest.
      3) Authenticity comes with generosity. The poor widow?s poverty was not an excuse for her not to give anything. Instead, she gave more because she gave what should have been money for her daily bread. Yes, indeed, the poor are many times more open to giving! Fr. Domie G.

REFLECTION QUESTION:
Make an examination of your own acts of giving to God and to others. Can you say that your acts of giving are ?authentic??

Lord, reveal the ways that I am being inauthentic. Help me face the truth and work toward Your truth.

St. Getulius and Companion, martyrs, pray for us.