Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” — John 20:15

    I’m a goal-oriented person. When I have a dream, I find ways, resources and people that can help me reach that dream.

       But there are times when I get so caught up on working for my goals, that I experience anxiety attacks and stress from overthinking. I begin to neglect my family, friends, and even God—those who really matter in my life.

       Thank God for The Feast, Light Groups and prayer times that always remind me to pause, take a step back, and see the reason why I’m doing what I’m doing.

      Our careers, money and achievements are all important. But let’s learn to set our priorities in order. Do they distract us from paying attention to the things that really matter? Yes, I can be busy with a lot of urgent matters, but at the end of the day, I will always cry out and look to Jesus—the reason for my being. Tintin Mutuc (kristinemutuc@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

Reflection:Let us always remember that the Lord is always with us, waiting for us to approach Him.

Jesus, may I always look for You amidst the busyness of my every day. You are the only treasure worth searching for.

Blessed James Oldo, pray for us.

Peter addresses the Jews and confronts them about the crucifixion of Jesus. Some would have probably taken the blame – they would have conspired to get rid of Jesus. If they are able to own up to their earlier intentions, then hearing and responding to the Gospel could be a very freeing experience.

36 On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people, “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other Apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” 40 He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.

R: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

4 Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R) 20 Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield. 22 May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you. (R)

We are called to take hold of the Gospel in our hearts and live it. Sometimes we are focused on studying the Scriptures but forget to apply it in life. The Gospel is best proclaimed and shared with others through the life we live as Christians. Some of the saints saw the importance of being living examples of the Gospel.

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

11 Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. 17 Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.

think: Jesus is your brother. What does this mean to you?

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Read the Bible in one year Leviticus 19-21

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

CUT TO THE HEART

There is a lot of talk about so-called “life-altering experiences.” Events happen that simply make some of us change drastically, more often than not for the better. They could refer not necessarily to moral conversion, but also to a change of lifestyle. Thus, a medical emergency could serve as a wake-up call for some to quit smoking “cold turkey,” as they say, or cut alcohol consumption altogether.

       But we also hear about “mood-altering” substances, like alcohol or drugs. They change the prevailing emotional state of anyone who ingests them.

       The Jews, upon hearing the kerygmatic preaching of Peter and the other Apostles, were “cut to the heart.” The heart in Jewish understanding was the center of thought, the visceral origin of one’s solid decisions and choices. The heart was the center of the personality. To be “cut to the heart” does not just mean to be emotionally touched and moved in a sentimental way.

     The heart constituted the visceral impulse to action. Small wonder the question of the people was: “What are we to do, my brothers?” Now, this is not the language of someone whose mood was just temporarily changed.

       In wellness and growth seminars I conduct, I often make use of movies to foster emotional literacy. There are those who learn to grapple with their own projected, suppressed or repressed emotions. But there are those who do nothing more than allow themselves some fleeting, shallow and suppressed feelings that only show in their countenances as “micro emotions.” While some go through unhealthy emotional flooding, the latter type go through emotional numbing.

       Neither fully reflects what the interlocutors of Peter and the Apostles did. They were moved, yes, but not in a shallow manner. They were moved into action.

       What moves us to action? Let Peter help us today. “Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

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

Are you “cut to the quick” or “cut to the heart”?

Jesus, You gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit that we may live in accordance to the Father’s will. Grant us the grace to live, move and have our being in the same Spirit. Amen.