Then the Lord said: “If now, while they are one people, all speaking the same language... – Genesis 11:6

       Imagine a world that speaks one language: the language of love. My imagination runs wild sometimes. In the mornings, after speaking to God, I’d open my Facebook account and see only positive, uplifting and inspiring posts. I’d open my Instagram account and see only beautiful pictures. I’d open Twitter and see only entertaining, motivational and empowering tweets.

       I know that it’s a far, far cry from the wretched things we see on the Internet nowadays, but I believe that we can do it. We start with ourselves. In Philippians 4:8, St. Paul reminds us to think only of praiseworthy things. I hold on to that verse every time I am tempted to say or post something nasty. I even started a small movement called “Project: Beautiful Words,” where we challenge each other to post only uplifting things. As of this writing, we are around 150 to 200 members in the group. If you’re friends with us, then you have 150 less complaints or negative posts in your news feeds.

       One day, we’ll make it. One world. One language. The language of love. Karren Renz Seña (karren.s@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

Reflection:Are you mindful of the words that you say and the things that you post online? Say only beautiful things.

Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You always. Amen.

Seven Founders of the Order of Servites, pray for us.

Why do people speak different languages? This could have been a question that worried people 3,000 years ago and so the redactors of the Scriptures have given us a story to explain the different languages. Linguists today will explain of how languages evolved. This teaches us something about human nature and its predilection for sin.

1 The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words. 2 While the people were migrating in the east, they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to one another, “Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.” They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.” 5 The Lord came down to see the city and the tower that they had built. 6 Then the Lord said: “If now, while they are one people, all speaking the same language, they have started to do this, nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do. 7 Let us then go down and there confuse their language, so that one will not understand what another says.” 8 Thus the Lord scattered them from there all over the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the speech of all the world. It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.

R: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

10 The Lord brings to nought the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples. 11 But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. (R) 12 Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. 13 From heaven the Lord looks down; he sees all mankind. (R) 14 From his fixed throne he beholds all who dwell on the earth, 15 He who fashioned the heart of each, he who knows all their works. (R)

Jesus teaches us that a true disciple denies himself and embraces the cross. Suffering will be an integral part of the experience of a Christian. It is difficult to follow Jesus faithfully and an “easy” discipleship is unlikely to be true and will have little effect in a person’s life.

I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

34 Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. 36 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 What could one give in exchange for his life? 38 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” 9:1 He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power .”

think: What did it cost you to follow Jesus?

Read the Bible in one year  Galatians 4-6

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

FOR THE GOOD OF ALL,

AND FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Nowadays, I personally feel there is so much talk about the self: self-actualization, self-appreciation, self-evaluation, self-expression. I am afraid our present culture and philosophy is the most narcissistic one ever. So much energies are given to developing the self, beautifying the self, taking care of the self ’s health in body and mind. There is even a song that goes: “Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.”

       I do not have a problem understanding the importance of regarding our own self as God’s great gift for us. In this regard, the cultivation of our capacities, the responsibility over our safety, as well as the prudent care for our own health, should be part of our life program.

     The Gospel now, however, reminds us that there is need to see beyond the self. We are not here for us alone. Each of us is a gift to one another, to humanity and the world. Let us remember the fundamental story that we read in Genesis 1. God first made everything in this universe and in this world, and in the end, God made man and woman in His image and likeness to take care of everything. Entrustment is a responsibility, and responsibility involves the ability to give and to sacrifice for the good of what is entrusted. This is true stewardship: It is both a privilege and the exercise of genuine care and concern for what is handed over.

       Another aspect of our humanity is, since we are made in the image and likeness of God, we are made not just for the good of creation. We are made to honor and glorify God in all things. Out of God’s goodness and love flows our life, and in God we continue to live and move and have our being. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

How do you see yourself as a gift for others and for humanity? What do you personally do for others? What group of “others in need” are you dedicated to? In what way do you personally render honor and glory to God? Do you have a religious commitment?

Continue to empower me, Lord, to reach out and give my gift to the world. Amen.