I have dealt with great things that I do not understand. – Job 42:3

       A wise man once said, “When the student is ready, the teacher will come.”

       Around eight years ago, I wanted to get into the stock market. But I didn’t know a single thing about it. I was a missionary for decades, so I was a total nincompoop when it came to the mysterious world of stocks.

       So I prayed to God to send me a mentor to teach me. After a year with that prayer percolating within me, someone called up the office requesting for lunch. He said he read my book and wanted to talk to me.

       When we met for a meal, he introduced himself. He said he was a former member of the Board of the Philippine Stock  Exchange and has been earning money through the stock market for over 30 years.

       That day, I met my mentor. He introduced me to the whole world of stock market investing. I started teaching others how to invest in the stock market, too. Today, I’ve taught thousands and the numbers keep growing every day.

     My dear friend, open yourself to extreme, excessive, extravagant grace that lets you know God is behind all things. Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)

Reflection:Have you experienced God’s grace in your life lately?

Dearest Lord, thank You for the everyday graces that remind me of Your presence and work in my life. Amen.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin, Patroness of the Missions, pray for us.

St. Thereses of Lisieux, whose feast we celebrate today, is called the Little Flower. She chose little ways to make a difference in her life. Even though she had grand dreams for her brief life, she lived within the confines of a convent. Her holiness is seen in the simple ways that she loved her fellow nuns in the little things that count.

Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17

1 Job answered the Lord and said: 2 I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. 3 I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. 5 I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you. 6 Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes. 12 Thus the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his earlier ones. For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses. 13 And he had seven sons and three daughters, 14 of whom he called the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Kerenhappuch. 15 In all the land no other women were as beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. 16After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; and he saw his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren. 17 Then Job died, old and full of years.

Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130

R: Lord, let your face shine on me.

66 Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust. (R) 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. (R) 75 I know, O Lord, that your ordinances are just, and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me. (R) 91 According to your ordinances they still stand firm: all things serve you. (R) 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may know your decrees. (R) 130 The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. (R)

Jesus sends out His disciples in pairs. Not all of us will be sent out to proclaim the Gospel in faraway places like the disciples. Most of us will be confined to a small mission field such as our family. But this does not make our role any less significant. Two of the most important aspects of evangelization are prayer and intercession. Without these, the proclamation of the Good News will have no power.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

17 The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” 18 Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. 19 Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 21 At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 23 Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

think: Two of the most important aspects of evangelization are prayer and intercession.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Daniel 4-6

The ultimate purpose of my life

Priority areas God wants me to work on

TRULY HIS WORK

One of the distinctive marks of a Christian is being joyful. “Joy,” says the Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “is the infallible presence of the presence of God.” Such delight is not a spontaneous feeling or emotion but a conviction. The Risen Christ continues to inspire and strengthen us as we face life’s daily trials and tribulations.

       In today’s Gospel, the 72 disciples report to Jesus their apostolic successes. Not only were they fruitful in their teaching and healing ministries but also in driving out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus confirms such power: “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky” (Luke 10:18). Satan is defeated as Jesus and the disciples preached the Gospel. Evil is conquered as God’s Kingdom is established.

         The disciples are overjoyed, yet Jesus is quick to remind them of the danger of pride and ambition. The right reason for rejoicing lies in the hope of reaching heaven. The greater reward of the disciples is not money or honor but deep intimacy with the Lord, a relationship that ushers in faith and repentance. It is human to feel proud of one’s accomplishments, but success ought to lead us to be humbler and more charitable. We remain unworthy stewards, trusted and empowered by God with the task of witness and proclamation. Effectiveness in our work or ministry is not our own doing; it happens when we allow the Lord to work with us and through us.

          Once, I attended the golden jubilee of the religious profession of a nun. This sister served as a missionary in Africa for a long time, then came home to the Philippines and taught in orphanages. Already holding a cane in her hand, she was escorted to the pulpit to give her thanksgiving message. A warm applause immediately followed. Teary eyed, she smiled and said, “Not for me, but for the Lord!” The congregation applauded even more.

         St. Therese of Liseux, may we follow your “Little Way” of being joyful and humble in accomplishing even the most mundane tasks. Fr. Paolo Asprer

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you gaining success and popularity in what you’re doing? Pause and reflect — what is God’s contribution to it? What is yours?

Lord, grant me the grace to be always humble and more charitable. May Your light shine in all that I do. Amen.