“Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them…” – Acts 4:24

       “Jesus, embrace her, please,” I pleaded between Hail Marys and commands for any ungodly spirit to go away. Right after we finished a small prayer gathering, a friend of mine acted out differently. She wanted to bolt out of the place. She bawled and said she heard horrifying voices. I asked our co-servants to pray the rosary while four of us talked to and prayed over her. She made faces, wailed and struggled against us. It was a long and taxing experience.

       Holding on to Jesus for strength, I called to Him in a personal way. “Jesus, we can’t do this without You. Please take over. Embrace her. Comfort her. Protect her. You alone have the power over her, Lord. Mama Mary, help us please.”

       Finally, she rested her head on my shoulder and whispered, “Jesus.” Then she fell into a nap. It was over. Thank God!

       That experience reminded me that even in our most fearful situation, Jesus emerges victorious. He reigns supreme over anything and anyone else in our world — and even what’s beneath and beyond. Jesus is above all else. Maymay R. Salvosa (christiane.salvosa@gmail.com)

Reflection:“Your Name is higher. Your Name is greater. All my hope is in You.” (from the song “Anchor” by Hillsong)

Jesus, be the Lord of my everything. Even amidst my doubts and hopelessness, I know You are able. Take control, my Lord.

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest and martyr, pray for us.

God gave us the Holy Spirit to embolden us in proclamating the Gospel. Let us receive this gift to equip us in our work for the Kingdom of God. We need the grace and wisdom to confront the current secular and materialistic mindsets of people whom we want to bring back to God.

23 After their release Peter and John went back to their own people and reported what the chief priests and elders had told them. 24 And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, “Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them, 25 you said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples entertain folly? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed. 27 “Indeed they gathered in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do what your hand and your will had long ago planned to take place. 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30 as you stretch forth your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

R: Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples utter folly? 2 The kings of the earth rise up, and the princes conspire together against the Lord and against his anointed: 3 “Let us break their fetters and cast their bonds from us!” (R) 4 He who is throned in heaven laughs; the Lord derides them. 5 Then in anger he speaks to them; he terrifies them in his wrath: 6 “I myself have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord. (R) The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; this day I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession. 9 You shall rule them with an iron rod; you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.” (R)

Jesus spoke to Nicodemus and taught him a lesson that we, too, should remember: If we sow in the flesh, then we will reap the fruits of the flesh – sin; if we sow in the Spirit, then we will reap the fruits of eternal life. It is difficult to overcome temptation and sin. But as disciples of Jesus, we rely on the Holy Spirit to empower us in our faith journey.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

1 There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 6 What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

think: How would you define “born again” in your own words?

Read the Bible in one year Numbers 10-12

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

COMING TO JESUS AT NIGHT

Nicodemus was an interesting character. He was described as a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. In short, he was an important public figure. Being high up in the ladder of authority, he could not bring himself to do the mundane things that hoi polloi do. That included consulting with a crowd-drawer and a possible demagogue in the person of Jesus, who was then already being referred to as “Rabbi.”

       But he was a respectable man. He knew genius and potential when he saw one. And he was honest about his appraisal of the Lord. He did not hesitate to use the title “Rabbi.” He also spoke for the likes of him who would not give in to petty jealousy, but who would recognize the good that others may be capable of. “We know that You are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that You are doing unless God is with Him.” But for all his honesty and sincerity, he, too, was prudent beyond reproach. “He came to Jesus at night.”

       He, too, most likely unwittingly, was acting prophetic. He came by night to one who professed to be life and light — the light that has come into the world. By coming to Jesus at night, Nicodemus showed what it meant to be free enough to allow a glimmer of light to shine upon him.

       Yesterday, we reflected on the untimely death of five nuns who perished in the freezing surf with the sinking of the SS Deutschland. “Hope was growing grey hairs; hope had mourning on.” To the horror of many who saw the tragedy from afar in real time, no one was either willing or able to help them and prevent the deaths of many.

       It was night when Judas went out to betray his Lord and Master. It is night whenever I fall into sin, when I turn a blind eye to the call of the good. It is night when I deny the truth because of envy, pride and self-centeredness.

       Nicodemus went to Jesus at night, but opened himself to the light. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

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

What are the dark areas in your life that you need to bring into Jesus’ light?

Lord Jesus, day and night are the same to You. Seek me in the darkness of sin and shame, and lead me to the light of forgiveness, renewal and love. Amen.