Nothing is concealed from Him; all lies bare and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. ? Hebrews 4:12
      One of my recognized strengths is my fidelity to my husband and to my marriage vows. I would always tell him, ?Itaga mo sa bato, I will never fall in that area.?
      I became friends with one of the male doctors at work who would invite me for coffee during our breaks. I told my husband about it and it was fine with him. My husband assured me that there was nothing wrong about having coffee with a friend.
      So, the coffee breaks became more frequent. I found myself dressing up better and fixing up myself more every time I knew it was going to be coffee break day. Until one day, during my prayer time, the Lord asked me gently what I was doing. I tried to push the question to the back of my mind but the Lord kept probing. What I considered as innocent, the Lord called flirting. I wasn?t attracted to the doctor; I was flattered by the attention he was giving me and how good it made me feel. I was guilty of emotional adultery. The strength I?ve been proud of will just be a weakness if I don?t rely on the Lord.
      I ended my coffee breaks. Besides, I never did like coffee anyway! Ronna L.

REFLECTION:
God can only help us if we need Him. That?s why He came for the sinners, and not the self-righteous.

Lord, open my spiritual eyes that I may see things the way You do.

P S A L M

Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

7 [8] The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye; (R) 9 [10] the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, all of them just. (R) 14 [15] Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (R)

G O S P E L

Mark 2:13-17

Jesus often answers those who question Him in such a way that he ?wrong-foots?  them. By this I mean that he totally disarms their loaded questions to the point that He demonstrates that He can see their ill intention pertaining to the question. This ability is largely a result of the fact that Jesus is a man of truth. There is never any ill will in His actions or words. He seeks only the best for all people and this is reflected in both His words and actions. This is the example that we must follow if we are to be faithful to our Christian calling.
  
13 Once again he went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. 14 As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ?Follow me.? And he got up and followed him. 15 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. 16 Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples,?Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?? 17 Jesus heard this and said to them [that], ?those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.?

my reflections
think: Only when we get to know the Word of God will we be able to use it well and allow its power to be more effective in our lives.

________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

God?s special verse/thought for me today________________

________________________________________________________

T O D A Y ? S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Genesis 46-48

One of the saddest things that can happen to any person is to be labeled and to be called names. During the time of Jesus, tax collectors ? good or bad alike ?suffered from this. They were looked down upon and were considered social outcasts. Everyone was extra careful not to be associated with them.
      But not Jesus.
      Jesus mingled freely with tax collectors and other public sinners. He even chose one of them to be His close associate. His name was Matthew, formerly Levi, who became one of the apostles and gave us one of the Gospels.
      The reason that Jesus gave to explain His deviant attitude toward sinners and social outcasts remains logical up until today: ?It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.?
      Where should a doctor be seen? Among the sick, should it not be? Where should the Savior be found? Among the lost, should it not be?
      As disciples of Jesus, called to become more and more like Him, where are we found?  Fr. Bobby T.

REFLECTION QUESTION: As disciples of Jesus, called to become more and more like Him, where are we found?

Teach me to see where I am needed. Give me a willing heart to be wherever that may be.

St. Hilary, bishop, pray for us.