It was sometime in July 1972 when our landlady invited my dad, Paul Aguas, to a prayer meeting. Dad accepted.

       At one point, the American missionary who was leading the prayer meeting asked Dad if he wanted to be prayed over. My father said yes.

       In a flash, Dad saw his entire life and realized how selfish he was. He prayed, “Lord, I do not love You. Help me to love You.” He went away from that prayer meeting a changed man.

       That was the start of my dad’s ministry. He eventually became a world-renowned preacher and an international leader of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement.

       His life was changed. For 21 years, he traveled all over the world, sharing the Good News, which, in turn, touched the lives of thousands of people. This happened because of a man who laid hands over him and prayed for him.

Reflection:Can your prayers actually reach out and touch another person? Let me reassure you it will.

Use me, Lord, as Your instrument to reach out and touch someone. Change their life as You have changed mine.

St. Damien de Veuster of Molokai, pray for us.

Paul is officially sent out on his mission to the Gentiles. This deputizing in the proclamation of the Gospel affirms that Paul’s ministry is at the heart of the Church, and therefore unquestionable. He and Barnabas, probably with Barnabas as the lead person at first, begin the missionary journeys synonymous with the life of Paul. Let us pray that we will know the missions that God has in store for us.

24 The word of God continued to spread and grow. 25 After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, who is called Mark. 13:1 Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. 4 So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.

R: O God, let all the nations praise you!

1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 2 [3] So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R) 4 [5] May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R) 5 [6] May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! 7 [8] May God bless us, and may all the ends of the

earth fear him! (R)

The biblical understanding of judgment is different from the court style of judgment. Jesus explained that we judge ourselves by our own response to the Gospel. If we refuse to live out the Gospel, we judge ourselves as unfit for the Kingdom of God. If we follow God’s will and live it daily, we prepare for the gift of eternal life with Him. The choices we make are important – these judge us if we live as a disciple or not.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.

44 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, 45 and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. 46 I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. 48 Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, 49 because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

think: How do you let others know where you stand with Jesus?

Read the Bible in one year Deuteronomy 27-30

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

ALIGNING WITH GOD’S WILL

Today’s verse marks a significant milestone in the development of the early Church: Saul and Barnabas are now “set apart” and consequently sent out on their first missionary journey.

         It wasn’t because of their own merit. Rather, it was a call from on high. It occurred “while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting.” The Holy Spirit was even mentioned as the One calling the shots.

          This is very important to note. Also our Lord Jesus Himself was intentional and explicit in our Gospel reading. In the last verse, He states, “What I say, I say as the Father told me.” In other words, Jesus has no claims on His own. He emphasizes His union with God the Father.

        How many times do we seem to do things on our own, apart from — or worse still, contrary to — God’s will? They may not necessarily be evil things. They might even be good projects. But the acid test of God’s will ought not to be skipped, for it is there where we will possibly draw fruitfulness.

       Jesus warns us somehow, “... If anyone hears My words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects Me and does not accept My words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day...” In other words, it will be our own undoing if we do not obey the Lord. It’s like we are the very ones condemning ourselves.

           Instead, if everything is aligned and in place — our own efforts and God’s will — it is like a replication of the scene of the First Reading: “The word of God continued to spread and grow.” Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

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

Again: how many times do you seem to do things on your own, apart from or, worse still, contrary to, God’s will?

Dearest Lord, “set me apart” — not so much because I’m holy or qualified. I humbly dispose myself to do Your will. Make me Your obedient servant. Amen.