He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:6

I once dreamed of becoming a doctor because I wanted to heal my dad who had a health crisis and help people in the same situation. But his illness also left us financially drained.

       It seemed impossible, but I believed God had planted this dream in my heart and He would make it possible. It was the last week to reserve my slot in school when I met someone who pledged to take care of my tuition fees. Another kind soul promised to pay for my books and uniforms. My God truly supplied all my needs.

         I eventually finished the four years of medical school and one year of internship before passing the Physician Licensure Examinations.

       God was faithful to complete the purpose He called me to do. Now I feel God is building on that purpose, calling me again to a much greater dream. And I am confident that if He calls me to it, He will make my dreams happen. Didoy Lubaton (christianlubaton@yahoo.com)

Reflection: What dreams have you put on hold because of uncertainty or fear? Carry on and do something about it today.

Dear Lord, I press on toward my dreams, trusting that You will make the way.

St. Wolfgang of Regensburg, pray for us.

Paul’s prayer that the Philippians’ love should increase is one that we should pray for every day. The goal of a disciple of Jesus is to grow in love of God and neighbor every day. If we are not growing in love, then we should look for the reasons or obstacles that are hindering us. On finding them, we should use every means at our disposal to get rid of them.

1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, 4 praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, 5 because of your partnership for the Gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right that I should think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, 10 to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

R: How great are the works of the Lord!

1 I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, exquisite in all their delights. (R) 3 Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. 4 He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the Lord. (R) 5 He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. 6 He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations. (R)

Jesus once again addresses the hypocrisy in the lives of the leaders. We should ensure that we live lives of integrity, keeping hypocrisy as far away as possible. It is essential for the successful proclamation of the Gospel that we live what we proclaim without any compromise. Let us pray that we will not allow any blind spots to develop in our lives.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

1 On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. 2 In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. 3 Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. 5 Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 6 But they were unable to answer his question.

think:  We should ensure that we live lives of integrity.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Isaiah 23-26

CHRISTIAN GRATITUDE

The Philippians were very close to Paul, close enough for them to send him money and tangible help on occasions of need. Paul thanks God for them, and what he refers to as their “partnership for the Gospel.” That partnership was attained through their monetary support, and their suffering for the Gospel, as Paul himself would say elsewhere in his warm letter.

       Having been a priest for a long time, I can identify with Paul’s profuse thanksgiving and joy at the thought of his friends and followers who allowed themselves to become conduits of God’s providential care and love for him. I, too, have often been the recipient of similar generosity of so many people. As a young priest, I still remember with fondness and joy those who gave what were then considered “essentials” for a neophyte priest. Friends, relatives, acquaintances and even total strangers gave me books, chasubles, chalices, a Mass kit, blessing kit, even a portable typewriter!

       I was grateful then to all my friends and generous donors, but the thought of Paul now writing warmly to the Philippians, who had been more than just good to him, got me into reflection mode. Was I grateful enough? Did I express my gratitude in a properly Christian way? Did I know how to give credit to whom credit was really due? Most important of all, did I really put to right use whatever I received from others? In other words, were those gifts really put to good use, as intended by my donors? We priests are privileged to receive so much of that love from generous people.

       What does it mean to be authentically grateful in a Christian way? My thoughts race back to a line from an old book of Louis Evely that I read many years ago: “If you have nothing to thank God for, there is nothing Christian in you.”

       Paul was grateful to everyone but to God above all! And though it sounds a little too late, I would like to tell every single one of my donors: “I give thanks to God at every remembrance of you.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are there persons in your life whom you want to thank God for? If they’re still around, thank them personally or write them a letter.

I give thanks, Lord, for ___________ (state here the names of the persons you want to thank God for). Bless them.