“Do not let your hearts be troubled…” John 14:1

       After countless vomits and visits in the bathroom during the weekend, I suddenly burst in tears. I was exhausted, my tummy was searing in pain, and my dizziness almost knocked me unconscious. I wanted to rest. A real rest where I couldn’t feel any of that pain anymore.

       As I cried, I felt someone wiping away my tears. When I opened my eyes, I saw that it was my close friend. He said nothing, but the love in his eyes assured me that everything’s going to be alright.

       It calmed me down, and taught me something else.

       When we’re in pain, we tend to close our eyes and turn our back from the things that hurt. In the process, we think that we are on our own. But God sees our tears. He is concerned with our concerns. Maybe we’re just too absorbed by what we are going through that we can’t feel His touch, His embrace.

       A few days and a deepened hope later, I got well. Indeed, with God at my side, there’s no doubt that everything will be alright. Maymay R. Salvosa (christiane.salvosa@gmail.com)

Reflection:“So we’re not giving up… Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, MSG).

There are many different roles in God’s mission field. He has gifted us with graces and charisms to fulfill our respective roles in the work of the Kingdom. Let us faithfully do the work God has called us to do and support others in theirs. We are part of the Body of Christ and we share in the divine mission of spreading the Good News.

1 As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. 3 Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, 4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. 7 The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

1 Exult, you just, in the Lord; praise from the upright is fitting. 2 Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. (R) 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)

It is good to remember that God chooses us first. God has chosen to love us into being and then to redeem us through the work of His Son. We respond to His acts of love through faith. Many find it difficult to accept the truth that it is God who first loves us. Let us pray for greater humility that we may not miss the opportunities given to us to respond to the gift of salvation that God continues to offer us.

4 Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, 5 and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. 7 Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 8 and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. 9 You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Many people search for direction and meaning in their life. They search everywhere – around the world, in their own spirit and in the will of God. People today feel a profound sense of being lost. If we open our minds and hearts to God’s love and listen to His call, we will know our life’s purpose. This will lead us to true fulfillment in Christ.

I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me.

1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. 4 Where I am going you know the way.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. 12 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”

think: Can you remember a time when you got lost? What happened?

Read the Bible in one year Joshua 9-12

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

BUILDING UP THE COMMUNITY

The present-day construction boom currently altering our cities’ skyline is observable. This backdrop might help us understand better our Lord Jesus’ message in our Gospel today, the Fifth Sunday of Easter.

       You may notice that our Gospel passage is more or less the combination of the same passages we had these past two days. But even then, the mention of “dwelling places” and “works” that Jesus does strengthens or affirms in us wondrous thoughts and feelings of stability and strength. It’s as if we are assured that shelter and real estate won’t be problems for us — thanks to Jesus Himself: our architect, engineer and broker.

       Our Second Reading also uses similar images or metaphors. This passage from the First Letter of Peter compares the followers of Christ to a building — one with the once-rejected Christ as the cornerstone, and we as the other stones. At the same time, we are a chosen and priestly people.

       In the First Reading, the Acts of the Apostles gives us a snapshot of this priestly people in its origins and initial progress: “The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly...” The episode is primarily about a crucial development in the young Church. The Twelve Apostles and the other disciples had to address needs and concerns, for which they didn’t hesitate to make adjustments and arrangements. And so they chose seven qualified men to assume important roles and tasks in the community.

       And so, the “construction boom” of the Christian community goes and continues also with us at present. Let us, in our own small way, help build up our community — with Christ as our cornerstone. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

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

What has been your involvement in the building up of your parish or community? Have you contributed anything at all?

Dear God, it is truly a wonder to see how we continuously grow and develop in the Catholic Church. We praise and thank You for this. May Your Spirit continue to sustain this growth. Amen.