“... from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again.” – Acts 15:16

       One day I received this letter: “I just lost my dad, lost my boyfriend of four years, and my business is going downhill. I am lost. I have faith in God but why is this happening to me? He has forgotten me.”

       After a month, she wrote again: “I was so distraught, and felt like the universe was on my back so I decided to attend the The Feast. It felt funny because it seemed that the preacher was talking to me alone! He said that we are saved and healed by the grace of God. That I will climb up from that pit where I am, and then I will believe He loves me.”

     This woman continued to attend The Feast every week. At every meeting, her faith grew by leaps and bounds. “My devastation and depression soon turned to joy and hope,” she wrote adding, “I held my head high because I knew that God will not allow me to stay ruined but raise me up again to glorify Him.”

       Indeed, God’s grace will raise us from rock bottom in His perfect time. Chelle Crisanto (ellehcmaria@gmail.com)

I am often down in the pits with my problems, Lord. Hold my hand and lift me up from where I am. Give me the grace to stand strong, loving You no matter what.

St. John I, pope and martyr, pray for us.

God has given to the Bishops the final authority in the Church. They are the providers and protectors of unity for Church doctrine as we learn from today’s reading. The Apostles, the first Bishops, made decisions on how to explain the meaning of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

7 After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. 10 Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” 12 The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. 13 After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written: 16 After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, 17 so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, 18 known from of old. 19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. 21 For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”

R: Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. 2 Sing to the Lord; bless his name. (R) Announce his salvation, day after day. 3 Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) 10 Say among the nations: the Lord is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus affirms that love is at the core of the Gospel message. To follow Jesus means loving men and women in the same way that God loves us. But people will sin against us and make it difficult for us to love them. Experiencing God’s love will help us overcome the difficulties and enable us to love others the way He loves us.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.

9 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”

think: How do you remain in the love of Jesus?

Read the Bible in one year Judges1-4

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

JOY PLUS PLUS

I am not what you would call a bubbly person. For one, I am an introvert. I find little interest for noisy and lengthy parties. They actually tire me and wear me down. My definition of a good time is a quiet, leisurely dinner with some mellow music playing in the background, and engaging in some of my favorite topics — everything related to human nature and human behavior (and that includes, of course, politics, and the so many ticks and tricks that help make them more like politricks).

       Some people probably think I am unhappy. Well, in a sense, I probably am, if one defines happiness as being upbeat and bouncy all the time.

       I wouldn’t call myself a joyless person though. I wouldn’t equate happiness with joy. Happiness is more like an external and fleeting trait. It comes and goes, as happiness is a basic human emotion. One thing about emotion is, as the very word suggests, something essentially “in motion.” It is a passing thing. It disappears as quickly as it comes. And it is highly dependent on the surrounding circumstances, places, events or persons around you.

       Today’s short Gospel passage is a testament to joy that goes far beyond happiness. When pain and sorrow come around, happiness might not be available to give you company, but joy can trump everything including pain and sorrow, for joy is not a fleeting emotion in rapid motion.

       And this is where the Gospel passage from John comes in handy. The Lord gives the real foundations of joy, thus establishing the basic truth that joy is something that thrives within, not outside, the person. The Lord counsels us to “remain” in God’s love, and this means keeping God’s commandments.

       While happiness has to do with having the right conditions and amenities, joy is about being — being connected, attuned to, and related to the ultimate source, reason and cause of joy, remaining in God’s love. In a word, total joy. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

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

What is the basis of your joy?

Dearest Father, enable me to remain in You so that my joy will be full. Amen.