A few days before my father passed away, we had our last serious conversation. It was the most meaningful talk I’d ever had with him. I kept silent as I absorbed his loving advice, summarized in three parts.

     He taught me about life. “Eat less. Temper your shopping. Drive slowly. Don’t come home late unless it’s really necessary. Don’t talk ill about other people personally. Always speak in principles. Remember our household helpers, even if they’re not with us anymore. Keep sending them money.”

       Next, he taught me about family. “Take care of the girls — your mom, Geegee (my older sister) and Giselle (our youngest). And make sure that Dinah (my wife) knows that she’s the most important person in your life.”

       Lastly, he taught me about service. “Always thank God for the people you serve with. Treat them well and love them. They’re God’s gift to you. Be grateful to Bo (Sanchez) for bringing you to where you are now. Never stop serving the Lord.”

       At his funeral, I made him three promises. “Dad, I will try to be like you — wise, generous, forgiving and loving. I will take care of the girls — Mom, Geegee, Giselle and Dinah. And I will never stop serving the Lord.” George Tolentino Gabriel (george.svp@gmail.com)

Reflection: What is your code for living?

Lord, teach me the paths of life.

St. Anselm, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Peter confidently proclaims the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. This is the heart of the Gospel message of the Early Church, and it should be the same today. We must make sure that we never lose sight of it as it is truly the inspiration and source of grace in living the Gospel. We need to call each other to repent for our sins, but the greater truth is that God has forgiven us.

14 On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 22 You who are children of Israel, hear these words. Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. 24 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says of him: ‘I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 26 Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ 29 My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. 33 Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father and poured it forth, as you both see and hear.”

R: Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

1 Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10 because  you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)

The victory is now ours. We have nothing to fear. There is nothing in the world that can stop us from living good and holy lives as long as we surrender all to the gift of salvation made available to us through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the truth of the Gospel. This is the Good News of our salvation that we are called to share with everyone we know and meet. Let us be open to any opportunity to share the Gospel with others.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

8 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11 While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. 12 The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Numbers 4-6

DO NOT BE AFRAID

The Bible speaks of two kinds of fear: the holy fear of God, and fear of the works and consequences of evil and brokenness in the world. Of the fear of the Lord, Psalm 19:9 says: “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.” The holy fear of the Lord keeps us faithful to Him and His commands, and it leads us to always stand before Him in worship, in awe, and in adoration. It is fear that accompanies our encounter with God’s glory. This fear then is healthy and positive. The Mosaic teaching goes: What the Lord God asks is “to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul...” (Deuteronomy 10:12). Perhaps this holy fear is what the women first experienced as they saw the empty tomb and were greeted by an angel who explained the resurrection to them. Hence, their fear was also with joyfulness.

       As regards the other kind of fear — the one that may come as we face the ugly works of evil — the Psalmist (23:4; 91:5) tells us: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil...” and “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.” Now, this other fear challenged the women and the other disciples as they faced the detractors of Jesus and the guards who spread around their ill-intentioned stories and insinuations. Here, the words of Jesus Himself are clear: “Fear not.”

       We note that after the resurrection — and more so, after the Risen Lord sent the Holy Spirit in Pentecost — the followers and believers of Jesus were transformed into bold witnesses and were unswayed in their conviction. Peter would stand before the Jewish leaders and declare: “We must obey God rather than men!” (cf Acts 5:29) Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What is your greatest fear in life? Whom do you fear the most? What is God telling you about your fears now? Pray and try to memorize Psalm 91.

Embolden me, Lord, so that I may not fear witnessing for You and proclaiming Your Word to the world.