We consider blessed those who have persevered... – James 5:11

Quality guru Edward Deming said, “Put a good man in a bad environment... The environment always wins.”

       The first company I worked for had a great culture. It treated people well. It was well organized, structured and systematized. As a result, I was excelling on many fronts. People said I was Mr. Cool... or at least I thought I was!

       Years later, I found myself in another big company but this time in a higher position with a lot more perks. I had a company car, a big office, a potted plant in my office, a secretary, managers reporting to me, housing benefits, the works! But I was unhappy. It was a toxic environment where people didn’t respect each other. I couldn’t function well. The once Mr. Cool was now Mr. Stress. And I was stressing out my staff too. My boss shouted, so I did too. He cussed and, shamefully, I occasionally did too. Thankfully, I got out of there — in location and hopefully in habit!

       So, was Deming right after all? In the absence of God’s grace, yes, definitely. But in the eyes of faith, it was an opportunity for me to prove my Christianity and God’s persevering grace in my life. To respond instead of react. To be peaceful amidst raging waters. To be Mr. Cool in spite of stress. Ariel Driz (adriz77@yahoo.com)

Reflection: We are Christians in spite of our circumstances, not because of them.

Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to rise up over my situation.

Blessed Daniel Brottier, pray for us.

The life of a prophet is never easy. He or she is called to proclaim the truth of the Gospel, no matter what reception they may get in the world. Read through thebooks of the prophets in the Old Testament. You will see that their lives were often difficult and full of suffering. We are called to be prophets; actually, at baptism, we were all anointed as prophets. Let us not be afraid to speak the truth of the Gospel, no matter how unpopular it may be.

9 Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. 10 Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because “the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” 12 But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No,” that you may not incur condemnation.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (R) 3 He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. 4 He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion. (R) 8 Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. 9 He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. (R) 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. (R)

Marriage is a special kind of relationship. Because children are involved, it is appropriate that marriage has an enduring quality. Marriage is not just another thing we get, consume, and then throw away when we tire of it. Marriage is meant to endure. It is the bedrock foundation of society.

1 Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. 2 The Pharisees approached and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. 3 He said to them in reply, “What did  Moses command you?” 4 They replied, “Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” 5 But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” 10 In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

think: Marriage is not just another thing we get, consume, and then throw away when we tire of it. Marriage is meant to endure.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Hebrews 5-8

Let me use yesterday’s Gospel about the metaphor of “salt and light” as a vantage point for our reflection on the readings today. What does being “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” really mean? How exactly can we accomplish that great task of following Christ?

       “Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” We need to be preserved by our saltiness, and let others be preserved by our own. Sometimes, we just have the inclination to blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for what is right for fear of rejection, hurt, failures. But we need to be constantly on guard of our distinctive saltiness, for when we lose it, we become worthless.

       It also points to Jesus as the Source of the light that we should allow to shine at a place where it can be seen and most useful. Without a power source, we cannot be light. It is futile even to attempt to be a light on our own because soon our energy will be consumed and we will be powerless. Hence, our true role as followers of Jesus is to reflect His light so others will be drawn to the Source and not to us, the instruments. In all of the Bible’s references to light, light is not self-generated. As a symbol, light pictures the simultaneous transcendence and immanence of God: it is from above, but it permeates everyday life.

       The readings today remind us that our “yes” should always be a “yes” and our “no” a “no,” and “what God has joined together, no human must separate.” We cannot proclaim our love for one another and not become its witnesses and defenders. We need to constantly aspire to become “salt” and light,” beginning in our relationships. We cannot say we love our partner, and be unwilling to sacrifice for the sake of this love.

       May our “yes” to love be a complete “yes,” one that is willing to be “salt” which preserves, seasons and heals, and be “light” which exposes, reveals and shines. Fr. Erick Y. Santos, OFS

Lord Jesus, may I learn to value and safeguard the sanctity of matrimony.