There was a disciple… completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving. – Acts 9:36

       Eric was the events head of one of Feast Alabang’s sessions. He also headed the Creatives Ministry and was always ready and willing to provide the backdrop, props or set needed no matter how difficult it was to make. He was also our main caterer for functions, big or small. He was so kindhearted that the Food Ministry could wheedle big discounts and freebies that he gave for the love of the Lord’s hungry servants.

       Even if he had a variety of illnesses and had been hospitalized several times, he continued to serve tirelessly. The night before he died, he catered for the wake of a fellow servant’s father. When we passed the donation envelope around, I was surprised with the big amount he handed me, I figured it was a big chunk from his earnings that night.

           Our community appreciated all his good deeds. At the Mass during his wake, the overflow from the chapel transformed the stairs into a sea of lavender – Feast Alabang servants wearing that year’s Lenten Recollection T-shirt to commemorate the major role he played in making the event a success.

          Eric died with his boots on, still occupied with God’s work. Lella M. Santiago (lellams88@gmail.com)

Reflection:When it’s time to join your Creator, can you show Him a portfolio of your good deeds?

Father, I am Your disciple. Make Your goodness manifest through me.

Sts. Marian and James, pray for us.

The Apostles repeated many of Jesus’ miracles in the early proclamation of the Gospel. The Acts of the Apostles situated the proclamation of the Gospel in the same spirit as Jesus’ ministry. The Apostles did what Jesus did and proved that they, like Jesus, were empowered by the Holy Spirit.

31 The Church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. She was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit she grew in numbers. 32 As Peter was passing through every region, he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” He got up at once. 35 And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. 36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated is Dorcas). She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving. 37 Now during those days she fell sick and died, so after washing her, they laid her out in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs where all the widows came to him weeping and showing him the tunics and cloaks that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to her body and said, “Tabitha, rise up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and raised her up, and when he had called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord.

R: How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?

12 How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? 13 The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. (R) 14 My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. (R) 16 O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds. 17 To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. (R)

Disciples come and go even during Jesus’ time. The call to proclaim the Gospel is difficult. It is not easy to be a disciple of Jesus. Everyone who wants to follow Jesus must continue to reject sin and the ways of the world, embrace the call to holiness, and walk in the way of God.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

60 Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” 61 Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? 62 What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. 65 And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.” 66 As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walk with him. 67 Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

think: What teachings of Jesus do you find hard to accept? Why?

Read the Bible in one year Deuteronomy 12-14

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

A DECISIVE CHOICE

Here is the final installment in our series of readings from the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to John. There’s no happy ending to it, mind you. Sadly, we have a fallout and a heartrending division among His followers.

       At least there is a saving grace: Peter’s decisive “declaration of loyalty.” He is our spokesperson, too, giving voice to the deepest yearnings of our hearts. We might not fully grasp the whole import of Jesus’ teachings, but all the same we stick it out with Him. At some point in our lives, He might have to ask us bluntly, as He did with the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Hopefully, we should know what to answer then.

       There seems to be a gloomy tone in our Gospel episode though. In spite of the reassuring answer of Peter, Jesus still seems to harp on the negative by hinting next at the defection of Judas Iscariot.

       Is it possible that we too have carried over this cheerless and negative outlook into our own Christian life? After all, the Lord does have His demands, and He constantly challenges us to measure up to His teaching and example. But this is not the only aspect in our Christian life. There is always still the positive, optimistic and happy side.

       If we are not experiencing freedom and joy in the Good News of our salvation, if following Jesus instead turns out to be drudgery, then perhaps we’ve got it all wrong.

         Christ will never squeeze us by the neck and coerce or threaten us — the decision is always ours. Not a choice for what suits us fine, like in a buffet table. Rather, it’s a choice between taking the whole thing in faith and remaining courageously and joyfully with the Lord, or simply calling it quits. And so... Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

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

Will it be a happy ending for you?

I, too, have declared my loyalty to You, Lord God. Give me the strength and courage to translate this into a joyful allegiance — yes, even in the face of challenges and trials. Amen.