... where they continued to proclaim the Good News. – Acts 14:7

       I know a couple from the north of Manila who wanted to bring some of their relatives to a prayer gathering. However, these relatives live in the south of Manila. They knew that it would not be practical to bring them to their prayer group that meets in the north. So they brought their relatives to our prayer meeting in Alabang. They traveled at least 30 kilometers and endured several hours of traffic so they can personally accompany them. They stayed till the end of the prayer meeting, not minding the long travel going back to Quezon City. Their relatives have been regular attendees since then.

       You might have witnessed or heard of similar stories. God will meet us where we are. However, as Jesus’ followers, it is also our role to bring people to where they can meet God.

     Evangelization requires our time, effort and a lot of patience. It’s challenging but it is our duty as Jesus Christ’s followers.

Reflection: When was the last time you led someone to Jesus?

Lord Jesus, I pray that I may have the courage to evangelize. I ask for Your grace to be willing to sacrifice so that more people may encounter You in their lives.

Paul faced the threat of death many times as he proclaimed the Gospel. This reminds us that hardships come as we serve the Lord. Some people expect God to bless them with an easy and prosperous life because they follow Him. Jesus was obedient to His Father and never sinned but He ended up on a cross. The saints also suffered greatly at the hands of both good and bad people, and many of them were martyred like Jesus. They are the models of our faith.

5 There was an attempt in Iconium by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas. 6 They realized it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, 7 where they continued to proclaim the Good News. 8 At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, 10 and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.” He jumped up and began to walk about. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in human form.” 12 They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice. 14 The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; 17 yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment  and gladness for your hearts.” 18 Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

R: Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name give glory because of your mercy, because of your truth. 2 Why should the pagans say, “Where is their God?” (R) 3 Our God is in heaven; whatever he wills, he does. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the handiwork of men.  (R) 15 May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 16 Heaven is the heaven of the Lord, but the earth he has given to the children of men. (R)

The Father sent the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. This means that the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to us. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to remind us of what Jesus has taught us. The Holy Spirit will keep us in the truth if we listen to His guiding voice. We need to discern the truth from the many different opinions that the world gives us. Let us stand firm as disciples and reject temptations that the world offers.

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you.

21 Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” 22 Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. 25 “I have told you this while I am with you. 26 The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name — he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

think: Who was the best advocate you ever had in your life? What was special about this person?

Read the Bible in one year Joshua 13-16

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

THE DIVINE INDWELLING

Jesus’ words in the Gospel today can be applied to the saint we are honoring: St. Isidore the Farmer or San Isidro Labrador. St. Isidore was one “who obeys the commandments” of the Lord, and for this he was loved by both Jesus and the Father.

       The story goes that Isidore used to go to church every morning, prayed while working in the fields, and spent the holidays visiting the churches of Madrid. One time, his fellow workers in the fields complained that his religious practices caused him to be late at work. To test the truth of this accusation, his master hid himself to spy on him. He noticed that Isidore did actually arrive late, but he also saw several angels helping him out on the plough, as though to compensate for what he was not able to do because of his absence.

       Now, let’s say we may not be as blessed to have such supernatural assistance in our work or study. But one thing for sure is that we must nevertheless uphold, at all times, God’s commandments in everything that we do. Our Lord reminds us, “Whoever has My commandments and observes them is the one who loves Me.” He links the two things: obedience to God and love of Him. As He expounds further, the marvelous result of such obedient love is no other than the indwelling of God in us: “Whoever loves Me will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.”

       Would it be too far-fetched to think that St. Isidore is one of those in whom the Lord dwells? The good news is that we, too, have such a rare opportunity, thanks to Jesus! Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

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

Shouldn’t you desire more God’s indwelling in you instead of supernatural help?

Lord God, dwell in me. Strengthen my faith so that I don’t just easily fall for fantastic

manifestations of the supernatural. Make me know and obey always Your commands. Amen.