Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him... – Matthew 14:31

       One summer vacation, my sister and I had swimming lessons. Towards the last part, we were taught the basics of diving. I was quite nervous and doubted if I could do it right. I took the proper position and dove into the 16-feet deep pool. Under water, I struggled to swim back to the surface. I let off bubbles from my nostrils because I couldn’t hold my breath any longer. I could slightly hear my instructor coaching me on what to do but panic overwhelmed me. He then came to my rescue and brought me to safety.

       In today’s Gospel, Peter got out of the boat, walked on water and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he got scared and began to sink. He cried out to Jesus to save him, and immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught Peter.

       We may be in “deep water” but Christ knows what we’re going through. Let’s just call on Him and He’ll be there to catch us when we fall. In times of fear and uncertainty, let’s focus our eyes on Jesus and He’ll take our fears away. Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Are you going through a tough situation right now and you feel that you’re sinking? Keep your eyes on Jesus and He’ll keep you afloat.

When strong waves of adversities threaten to drown me, Lord Jesus, come and save me.

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, pray for us.

Judas Maccabeus gave himself to his task 100 percent. He was not afraid to be seen working for what he believed to be true and right. We should pray for similar courage and stand for the values of the Gospel. Our secular age relegates religious realities to the periphery so that they have little or no effect on how society functions. We cannot allow this to happen if we want to protect the dignity of the human person.

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31

1 It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law. 20 Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother, who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord. 21 Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage, she exhorted each of them in the language of their ancestors with these words: 22 “I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. 23 Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man’s beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.” 24 Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words, thought he was being ridiculed. As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him, not with mere words, but with promises on oath, to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs: he would make him his Friend and entrust him with high office. 25 When the youth paid no attention to him at all, the king appealed to the mother, urging her to advise her boy to save his life. 26 After he had urged her for a long time, she went through the motions of persuading her son. 27 In derision of the cruel tyrant, she leaned over close to her son and said in their  native language: “Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months, nursed you for three years, brought you up, educated and supported you to your present age. 28 I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth and see all that is in them; then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things; and in the same way the human race came into existence. 29 Do not be afraid of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.” 30 She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said: “What are you waiting for? I will not obey the king’s command. I obey the command of the law given to our forefathers through Moses. 31 But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews, will not escape the hands of God. ”

Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15

R: Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

1 Hear, O Lord, a just suit; attend to my outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit. (R) 5 My steps have been steadfast in your paths, my feet have not faltered. 6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word. (R) 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. 15 But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence. (R)

The Lord has entrusted us with talents. How we use them is completely up to us. But we must one day give an account of how we used them. We will judge ourselves when we stand before God and witness His justice in its purest forms. We will clearly see what we could have done if only we had entrusted to God all, that He gave us under the grace of the Holy Spirit.

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

11 While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. 12 So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. 13 He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ 14 His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ 15 But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. 16 The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ 17 He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take chargeof ten cities.’ 18 Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ 19 And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ 20 Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ 22 He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; 23 why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ 24 And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ 25 But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ 26 He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’” 28 After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

think: The Lord has entrusted us with talents. How we use them is completely up to us.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Jeremiah 35-38

BURIED TALENTS

This Gospel is being offered for our reflection to focus on the unannounced coming of the master who will demand an accounting from his servants. The point of the parable is not the profit but in how working on our God-given “talents” make or unmake us.

       The first two were praised by the master not only because of the dividends they forwarded. The two were praised because in reaping dividends, they have grown to be creative, risk-takers, givers and more prudent individuals. The last one was condemned because he simply hoarded his talents. He buried them. In the process, he did not grow. He remained complacent and mediocre. He remained as is.

       The ostrich, like the bull, is considered to be a dumb animal. When frightened, it buries its head in the sand to avoid seeing the impending danger. Wrong choice. A buried head does not eliminate the impending danger. A buried “talent” is just as dumb as an ostrich burying its head in the sand. It’s a totally useless choice.

       Let us remember that what we possess on the day of our death, we will leave behind. But who we are on that day will be ours forever. The Gospel is a metaphorical reminder for us to work, not only on building up our possessions, but also — and maybe more importantly — on building up our character.

       The challenge of Jesus today could not be more plain. What kind of character will you bring with you when you come before the Lord’s presence? Character is what we bring unto eternity. It is what will decide whether our eternity will be smoking or non-smoking.

What will it be for you? Fr. Joel Jason

REFLECTION QUESTION: Each day is a blank page that God gives you to write your life story. Write it well.

Rouse me from complacency, O Lord. I claim the grace of passion to be more each day. Amen.