On my way to work, I heard a woman shouting at the top of her lungs inside her car. She was screaming at the village security guard who stopped her because she didn’t have a sticker and was asking who she was visiting. She was clearly upset, and the strain and pain in her voice told me that the anger was not just about the poor guard’s comment. He had hit a nerve. As people stopped to watch her outburst, I felt for her. Maybe she was going through rough times in life. Perhaps her home is in disarray, the kids are in trouble, or a loved one is dying. As I walked on, I prayed a Hail Mary for her and wished her peace.

       We have no control over what happens outside of us. The world will always have its share of stresses — an irate customer, an arrogant driver, a person who curses you out of the blue. The truth is, it’s not about you. It’s what’s happening inside of them. The only thing we have control of is our response to the situation. It would be wise to choose to keep your peace and give the person the benefit of the doubt. The least we could do is pray for them.

       Oh, how the world needs peace — peace from within. May we be bearers of peace in our thoughts and deeds. Marjorie Ann Duterte (marjorie.travels@gmail.com)

Reflection: Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Father, Your peace is a precious gift. May Your peace descend upon my mind and heart today and may I share this peace to the hurting. Amen.

St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions, pray for us.

Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. He allayed their fears and assured them that he still considers them his brothers. Joseph saw the hand of God at work in his life, even in the terrible thing they did in selling him as a slave. Joseph does not want to look back and relive those days – he looked forward to the future. We cannot change the past, but we can create the future.

Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5

18 Judah approached Joseph and said: “I beg you, my lord, let your servant speak earnestly to my lord, and do not become angry with your servant, for you are the equal of Pharaoh. 19 My lord asked your servants, ‘Have you a father, or another brother?’ 20 So we said to my lord, ‘We have an aged father, and a young brother, the child of his old age. This one’s full brother is dead, and since he is the only one by that mother who is left, his father dotes on him.’ 21 Then you told your servants, ‘Bring him down to me that my eyes may look on him, unless your youngest brother comes back with you, 23 you shall not come into my presence again.’ 24 When we returned to your servant our father, we reported to him the words of my lord. 25 “Later, our father told us to come back and buy some food for the family. 26 So we reminded him, ‘We cannot go down there; only if our youngest brother is with us can we go, for we may not see the man if our youngest brother is not with us.’ 27 Then your servant our father said to us, ‘As you know, my wife bore me two sons. 28 One of them, however, disappeared, and I had to conclude that he must have been torn to pieces by wild beasts; I have not seen him since. 29 If you now take this one away from me, too, and some disaster befalls him, you will send my white head down to the nether world in grief.’” 45:1 Joseph could no longer control himself in the presence of all his attendants, so he cried out, “Have everyone withdraw from me!” Thus no one else was about when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 But his sobs were so loud that the Egyptians heard him, and so the news reached Pharaoh’s palace. 3 “I am Joseph,” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still in good health?” But his brothers could give him no answer, so dumbfounded were they at him. 4 “Come closer to me,” he told his brothers. When they had done so, he said: “I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt. 5 But now do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.”

Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21

R: Remember the marvels the Lord has done.

16 When the Lord called down a famine on the land and ruined the crop that sustained them, 17 He sent a man before them, Joseph, sold as a slave. (R) 18 They had weighed him down with fetters, and he was bound with chains, 19 till his prediction came to pass and the word of the Lord proved him true. (R) 20 The king sent and released him, the ruler of the peoples set him free. 21 He made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions. (R)

We all have choices to make. Some choices are very important and require consideration. However, many of our choices are incidental and sometimes we fail to choose what is morally right. It is critical that we put our efforts where they will matter and count the most. We should listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and seek His guidance as to the important issues in our lives.

The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.

7 Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. 9 Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; 10 no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter a house, wish it peace. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. 14 Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words — go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. 15 Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

think: We cannot change the past but we can create the future.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 25-26

PRICELESS GRACES

Jesus reminded the Apostles, “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give” (verse 8). Salvation is not for sale.  Grace, by virtue of the word itself, is free and available to everyone. It is the ultimate purpose of God to welcome everyone back to His family.

       But many, both laity and the clergy, would contest this. The laity would ask why the Church charges certain fees. On the part of the Church, they ask why they would not need support from the faithful. Both questions are valid. In the light of the Gospel, how could both questions be answered?

       Sacraments and other services in the Church are meant to lead the faithful towards salvation. God does not exact any price for it, except for the willingness to admit one’s sins, obey His commands, and love Him like He loved us, unconditionally. Sacraments cannot be assessed. But living in a material world necessitates material things. Maintaining churches and dispensing the sacraments involve some expenses for the church.

       Churches need to pay their workers, bills have to be paid, etc. “The laborer deserves his keep” (verse 10). Donations from the faithful are therefore necessary. These donations are not payments. If sacraments will be paid, many people will not be able to afford them. Donations are made according to the capacity of the faithful. In many cases, the faithful find it hard to estimate how much to donate. Thus, proposing a certain amount may be in order. But it must be made clear that the donation is voluntary and not essential to avail of the sacraments and other services of the Church.

       Once, a couple applied to be married in church. They claimed they were low on funds. I told them to just donate whatever they can afford. When the wedding day came, I was surprised to see their entourage with elegant gowns, the aisle teeming with flowers, three photographers and a videographer covering the event, and so on. Talk about “low on funds!” Fr. Benny Tuazon

REFLECTION QUESTION: How are you supporting the Church and its workers?

Help me to be faithful in supporting Your Church, Lord.