They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. – Matthew 28:9

         I’ve always considered myself as God’s soldier, His warrior, His champion. I thought that worshiping Him meant working overtime to advance His Kingdom. In prayer, I would always imagine myself kneeling before the throne of God, receiving His orders and anointing, and then I’d go out into the world to do His work.

         I worked hard. I served hard. I loved hard. But I didn’t know that I was also getting tired. So I asked God for a favor. A few lines from a worship song came to mind: “While I’m waiting, I will serve You, Lord.” I felt sad because I thought I had to work harder in order for Him to answer my prayers. But God stopped me mid-tirade. “Karren, you are not only My soldier. You are also My daughter,” He said. “You don’t have to work so hard. Now, what do you want? Come, tell your Father.” His words struck home so hard, I cried. I realized then that I didn’t have to work to earn God’s love, or anyone else’s love for that matter.

       God calls us to a deeper relationship with Him because He wants to love us and bless us, not because He wants to give us orders. God loves us as we are, where we are. Karren Renz Seña (karren.s@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

Reflection: God wants nothing more than to love us. Let us receive this truth with joy, trust and faith.

May Your Holy Spirit open us to Your unfailing and unconditional love.

St. Benedict Joseph Labre, pray for us.

In today’s reading, Peter shares what he has experienced as a follower and disciple of Jesus. Let us tell the story of our own faith journey in a simple and concise way as we share the Gospel to others.

14 On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 22 “You who are children of Israel, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. 24 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 26 Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. 29 “My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. 33 Exalted at the right hand of God, he poured the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as you both see and hear.”

R: Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)

Was there an attempt from the Jewish chief priests to discredit the resurrection of Jesus? It is probable as related in today’s Gospel. We must consider that Jesus was always in conflict with the Jewish authorities. They deny the truth about the prophecies of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus rising from death to life is a powerful witness and would have paved the way for many conversions to the Christian faith.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

8 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11 While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. 12 The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present day.

think: Which do you believe more: What you see? What you hear? Or what you want?

Read the Bible in one year Leviticus 16-18

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

FEAR. RUN. JOY.

The two Marys, upon seeing the tomb empty, went away quickly, “fearful yet overjoyed.” They ran for fear. They ran for joy. But they ran for something else. “They ran to announce the news to His disciples.”

       They say that emotions are basically energy in motion. One’s emotions can make one run. Fear can petrify you, but it can also fortify you.

       I am afraid of water. There was a time years ago when, at a memorable community outing, we went snorkeling at the edge of the Philippine trench. I got so taken up by it and was mesmerized by the colorful fishes and live corals that I ventured a little too far out from shore. But then I got the fright of my life when, all of a sudden, I realized that there was nothing but a big, dark void in front of me. I was on the deep end of the shelf, and all I heard was the beating of my heart, pounding and throbbing like every beat was my last.

          I felt a sudden burst of energy that sent me into panic. I flailed and kicked with all my might, trying to make it back to the shore where everybody was. I went away quickly, fearful. Period.

         In the past, I remember rushing several times to tell my mother some good news when something good had happened to me. And I was sure the best enthusiastic listener would be mother. On all occasions, I ran — for joy. 

          Forrest Gump loved to run. He ran even if he didn’t know what he was running for. But there was one thing he knew. Both his mother and sister goaded him on: “Run, Forrest, run!” Even if he had no words for it, I would venture a guess as to why he ran. He ran because he was loved. He ran on account of love.

          The two Marys knew they were loved. To be loved is akin to being redeemed, to being valued. The fear and the joy they felt were just “value added.”

           I know I am loved. I know I am redeemed. I know my Savior lives. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

------------ REFLECTION QUESTION -----------

Father, You have called me to run the race of life in a place that would lead me to the finish line — eternal life. Grant me the grace to stand up whenever I stumble and fall, and persevere to the end. Amen.