“Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” – John 16:23

       Europe. I’ve always wanted to go there. The famous landmarks, the food, the culture. I’ve been praying to go to Europe for free.

       Years passed. I didn’t give up. I still kept on praying, holding on to the promise of receiving whatever I ask from God in Jesus’ name.

       When I started giving weekly Tuesday talks for college students at the UP Diliman Campus Feast, a friend gave me a very tempting offer: Travel to Europe for free and get paid as the tour leader. Wow!

       I wanted to say yes but I didn’t have inner peace. I prayed about it and knew the answer. I couldn’t leave the UP Diliman Campus Feast for three weeks then. Being God’s instrument to give inspirational talks was more important. I turned down the offer with peace in my heart.

       I felt proud about who I have become by God’s grace. Thank You, God, for transforming me. I know that one day, I will go to Europe for free, in Your perfect time. Carlo Lorenzo (carloflorenzo@yahoo.com)

Reflection: What are you praying for? The answer will come in His perfect time. Allow your daily conversations with God to transform you.

Thank You, Father God, for changing our hearts and our priorities that we may find joy and peace in putting Your will first above our own.

St. Isidore the farmer, pray for us.

The Lord encourages us to speak, just as He did with Paul. The world needs to hear the Gospel. Those who forsake their faith grow in number every day and what do they get in return? Nothing! Worldly pleasures are passing away. Let us see the urgency to live and proclaim the Gospel.

9 One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,  “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them. 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some  crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews; 15 but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the tribunal. 17 They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio. 18 Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.

R: God is king of all the earth.

1 [2] All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, 2 [3] For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. (R) 3 [4] He brings people under us; nations under our feet. 4 [5] He chooses for us our inheritance, the glory of Jacob, whom he loves. (R) 5 [6] God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. 6 [7] Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. (R)

Sin seems to triumph in the debates about truth and holiness. As Christians, we have to be prepared for the next battle of truth. The world’s political agenda is about pragmatism (what works) and utilitarianism (what is useful). We have to change the parameters of the debate, ensuring that the key question centers on what is true and right, not what is expedient and useful. The truth trumps all other concerns.

Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory.

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. 22 So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23 On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”

think: Let us see the urgency to live and proclaim the Gospel.                       

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Judges 13-16

HEARTS FULL OF JOY

While we call it Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ death was a tragedy for the disciples. They were bewildered. Lost and scattered, their hopes were destroyed and their lives ruined at seeing the Master betrayed by one of their own. Arrested for treason and condemned by the Roman governor to die the most shameful death — not a pretty picture at all. Jesus forewarns the disciples in the Gospel today.

         During that time, the disciples wept for the loss of their Master. Today, the world rejoices for the One who was slain. Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesy about this Man who will suffer. But see how Jesus overturns sadness when He speaks of the woman in childbirth. He uses a brilliant analogy of His own death, comparing it to childbirth when the woman, in agony and suffering, labors and gives birth to a newborn. What joy is expressed when she has gone through this tremendous suffering. All pain is wiped away, as though she never experienced any suffering, because of the joy of having her own child. So it will be for these disciples. All their anguish will fade away when they see Jesus raised again.

         During this Easter season, we too have walked through Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. We witness the glorious light of Easter morn and now we await His ascension into heaven, where He will judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.

         Our lives are full of sorrow and rejoicing. There will be times of sorrow when we need to remember that God has not abandoned us, and we will need to remember that not everything will be rosy. Life is surely a mystery — sometimes a roller coaster ride. Let us pray for the Easter joy that surpasses all sadness in this world. The Risen Jesus is our hope. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you one who is in sorrow or one who rejoices? What causes your sadness or joy? Dialogue with the Lord about it today.

I thank You, Lord, for in my suffering and rejoicing, You are always present. Amen.